Electroacupuncture potentiates the antiallodynic effect of intrathecal neostigmine in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

This study was performed to examine whether electroacupuncture potentiates the neostigmine-induced antiallodynia in neuropathic pain rats. Although intrathecal neostigmine (0.05, 0.1, and 0.3 microg) dose-dependently relieved cold allodynia, 0.3 microg neostigmine caused side effects. The coapplication of 0.1 microg neostigmine and electroacupuncture, however, produced potent antiallodynia, which was parallel to the effect of 0.3 microg neostigmine, without side effects. These results indicate that electroacupuncture can enhance the antiallodynic action of intrathecal neostigmine.