Pain Molecule Pinpointed
Sunday · May 15, 2011 · by admin
A molecule which may control how acupuncture relieves pain has been pinpointed by US researchers.
Experiments in mice showed that levels of adenosine – a natural painkiller – increased in tissues near acupuncture sites.
The Nature Neuroscience study also found that in mice resistant to the effects of adenosine, acupuncture had no effect.
Pain experts said the findings may partly explain how the treatment works.
Adenosine is known to have many roles in the body including regulating sleep and reducing inflammation, the researchers said.