Study on Acupoint Application in Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation in Rat Models

Objective:To observe the analgesic efficacy of acupoint application on lumbar disc herniation in rat models. Methods:60 rats were randomly divided into blank control group,sham-operation control group,model control group,acupuncture control group,local application group,and acupoint application treatment group,10 rats in each one. Grasping stimulation and fixation was administrated every day in blank control group,sham-operation control group and model control group. Routine acupuncture on acupoints was applied in acupuncture control group. Ointment was applied to body surface in local application group. In acupoint application group,ointment was applied to Shenshū(肾俞BL23),Qihǎi(气海CV6),Daimai(带脉GB26),Yanglingquan(阳陵泉GB34),Wěizhōng(委中BL40)and Kūnlun(昆仑BL60). Pain threshold,histopathologic alternation of compressed nerve root and the content of central nervous transmitter,5-HT were observed in rats of each group. Results:The mechanic pain threshold in acupoint application group did not present significant difference comparing with acupuncture control group(P0.05),but presented significant difference comparing with local application control group(P0.05). Concerning to histopathologic improvement of compressed nerve root among treatment groups,the effect was much more significant in acupoint application treatment group. 5-HT content in acupoint application treatment group was higher than that in model control group,indicating significant difference(P0.01),but the significant difference did not presented in comparison with acupuncture control group and local application control group(P0.05). Conclusion:Acupoint application acts on analgesia by alleviating inflammatory edema of nerve root and increasing 5-HT content.