The International journal of neuroscience
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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is defined as the application of an electrical current to the skin through surface electrodes for pain relief. Various theories have been proposed in order to explain the analgesic mechanism of TENS. Recent studies have demonstrated that part of this analgesia is mediated through neurotransmitters acting at peripheral sites. ⋯ However, LF TENS, but not HF TENS, completely reduced 5-HT-induced hyperalgesia. Pre-treatment of the paw with naltrexone, prior to application of TENS, (Nx: 50 μg; I.pl.) showed a complete blockade of the analgesic effect induced by low frequency TENS. Thus, our results confirmed the lack of an anti-inflammatory effect through the use of TENS as well as the participation of peripheral endogenous opioid receptors in LF TENS analgesia in addition to its central action.
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It has been suggested that the elastin gene is a candidate gene for the development of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). We investigated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the elastin gene in sporadic subarachnoid hemorrhage and in patients with unruptured aneurysms in China. ⋯ Furthermore, the minor allele of rs2071307 (allele A) was also associated with IA rupture; 31.3% of patients with ruptured IAs were carriers of the minor allele, whereas only 23.2% of patients with unruptured IAs carried the minor allele (odds ratio 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.10; p = 0.013). In conclusion, our study indicates that the elastin gene may be associated with the formation of IAs, and importantly, that it may also be associated with the rupture of IAs.