Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1990 ; 15(4): 310-4.

[Enkephelinase inhibitors acetorphan and SCH34826 potentiate the analgesic effect of low frequency electroacupuncture in rats]

Zhou Y, Luo F, Han J.

Neuroscience Research Center, Beijing Medical University.

Influence of two novel enkephelinase inhibitors, Acetorphan and SCH34826, on the effect of electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) has been observed in rats. Administered Acetorphan (2.0-4.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or SCH34826 (30-100 mg/kg, p.o.) potentiated and prolonged the effect of 2 Hz EAA significantly in the nonresponder in which an evident analgesic effect can not be induced by 2 Hz electroacupuncture. This means that che non-responder of 2 Hz EAA can be converted into the responder with these two drugs. The non-responder of 100 Hz EAA, however, can not be changed into the responder with Acetorphan. These results again support our previous reports that enkephelin plays an important role in low frequency EAA. Meanwhile, this suggests us a probable route for potentiating acupuncture analgesia in clinical practice.