Objective: To address the research questions whether electroacupuncture can weaken the CPP of morphine dependence rats and whether the neurobiological mechanism for control of anxiety is related to the transcription of DBI mRNA.
Methods: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, electroacupuncture group and morphine group. After the CPP model was constructed. The time of CPP was examined on the 5th and 10th day as the interventional electroacupuncture was instituted. The total RNA was extracted from the brain of sacrificed rat and was defected by use of RT-PCR.
Results: The CPP time of the electroacupuncture group was significantly decreased on the 5th and 10th day after abstinence (P<0.05). The transcription of the DBI mRNA of the electroacupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the morphine group (P<0.05), and there was no difference between the electroacupuncture group and control group.
Conclusion: Electroacupuncture can weaken the CPP of the morphine dependence rats, and the neurobiological mechanism may be related to the electroacupuncture-induced transcription of DBI mRNA.