Suppression of electroacupuncture(EA)-induced β-endorphin and ACTH release by hydrocortisone in man. Absence of effects on EA-induced anaesthesia

Abstract

Abstract. Auricular electroacupuncture (EA) increased plasma ACTH and β-endorphin levels significantly in 10 patients receiving EA as an analgesic aid during surgery. Pre-treatment with iv hydrocortisone (200 mg) completely suppressed both ACTH and β-endorphin release in response to EA without significantly affecting EA anaesthesia in 6 other patients and in a patient with Addison's disease.

Electroacupuncture analgesia in dogs: is there a difference between uni- and bi-lateral stimulation?

“…Further confirmation of the above statement is provided by the lack of change in plasma cortisol concentrations in any treatment, as reported previously (Pellegrin et al. 1980; Masala et al. 1983; Pullan et al.…”

“…The stimulation of false points, even with restraint and electrical stimulation did not increase the pain threshold, as previously reported in rats (Oliveira & Prado 2000) and in dogs (Still et al 1986), showing that EA and not stress, was responsible for the analgesia. Further confirmation of the above statement is provided by the lack of change in plasma cortisol concentrations in any treatment, as reported previously (Pellegrin et al 1980;Masala et al 1983;Pullan et al 1983;Umino et al 1984;Luna & Taylor 1998).…”

“…However, other studies have dismissed these findings, as analgesia is observed regardless of the presence of a stress response (Pellegrin et al. 1980; Masala et al. 1983; Pullan et al.…”

“…A few reports suggest that the analgesia induced by acupuncture is caused by stress because increased plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations may be observed after EA (Stellpflug et al 1978;Cheng et al 1980;Lee et al 1982;Bossut et al 1983). However, other studies have dismissed these findings, as analgesia is observed regardless of the presence of a stress response (Pellegrin et al 1980;Masala et al 1983;Pullan et al 1983;Luna & Taylor 1998).…”

Acupuncture Anesthesia and Analgesia for Clinical Acute Pain in Japan

“…They coincidentally investigated ACTH levels during acupuncture. It is generally considered that β-endorphin and ACTH are simultaneously released from the pituitary during stress-induced analgesia and that their levels increase plasma during acupuncture (27,28) and it is considered that acupuncture produced stress-induced analgesia. However, Ishimaru et al (16,26) found that plasma β-endorphin concentration increased during acupuncture, while ACTH did not.…”