电针治疗神经病理痛机制的研究进展

 神经病理痛严重影响患者的生存质量，目前的治疗手段面临镇痛效果不佳、副作用大的难题。近年来，基于电针能缓解神经病理痛的临床证据，对于电针在神经系统不同水平的调节机制进行了广泛的探索，其中包括对离子通道活性、促炎/抑炎因子平衡、胶质细胞激活及痛相关脑环路等的调节。本文总结了近期对于电针镇痛的外周、脊髓及脑各个层面机制的研究，为进一步探究电针镇痛的原理提供线索。

Research progress on the mechanisms of electroacupuncture analgesia in neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain seriously affects the quality of patients' life.Current treatments are challenged by limited analgesic effect and great side-effect.In recent years,based on clinical evidence that electroacupuncture (EA) could ameliorate neuropathic pain,the mechanisms of EA analgesia at different levels of the nervous system have been extensively investigated,including the regulation of ion channel,the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines,the activation of glia and the pain-related brain circuitry.This review summarized recent studies on the mechanisms of EA analgesia at peripheral,spinal and brain levels,hoping to provide clues for further investigation of the theory on EA analgesia.