Effect of low- and high-frequency TENS on Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe and dynorphin A immunoreactivity in human lumbar CSF

Pain. 1991 Dec;47(3):295-298. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(91)90218-M.

Abstract

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment was given for 30 min to 37 patients divided into 3 groups of 10 patients and 1 group of 7 patients. Two groups received low-frequency (2 Hz) and the other 2 groups high-frequency (100 Hz) stimulation. A diagnostic lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was obtained immediately before and after stimulation. The CSF samples were subjected to analysis of immunoreactive (ir) opioid peptides, Met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe (MEAP) from preproenkephalin and dynorphin A (Dyn A) from preprodynorphin, respectively. Low frequency TENS applied on the hand and the leg resulted in a marked increase (367%, P less than 0.05) of ir-MEAP but not ir-Dyn A, whereas high-frequency (100 Hz) TENS produced a 49% increase in ir-Dyn A (P less than 0.01) but not ir-MEAP. This is the first report in humans that 2 Hz and 100 Hz peripheral stimulation induces differential release of peptides from preproenkephalin and preprodynorphin, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dynorphins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Electroacupuncture
  • Enkephalin, Methionine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Enkephalin, Methionine / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation*

Substances

  • Enkephalin, Methionine
  • enkephalin-Met, Arg(6)-Phe(7)-
  • Dynorphins