MODULATION OF ORPHANIN FQ OR ELECTROACUPUNCTURE (EA) ON IMMUNE FUNCTION OF TRAUMATIC RATS

Orphanin FQ(OFQ) is a recently discovered 17-amino acid neuropeptide[1 -2]. In present paper, influence of intracerebroventricular(ICV) admin istration of OFQ or electroacupuncture(EA) on the surgical trauma-indu ced inhibition of the splenic natural killer(NK) cell activity in rat was observed. The results showed that administration of 0.1 mu g(0.005 5 nmol) and 1 mu g (0.055 nmol) OFQ had no effect on the NK cell activ ity, while 5 mu g(2.75 nmol) OFQ reduced the NK cell activity in norma l rats. However, 0.1 mu g, 1 mu g or 5 mu g OFQ were found to antagoni se the immune function depression caused by surgical trauma. The NK ce ll activity was reduced in normal rats after repeated ICV treatment wi th antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) complementary to bases of translate d region of rat OFQ receptor mRNA to block the translation of OFQ rece ptor mRNA into protein. EA stimulation of Zusanli(gt. 36) and Lanwei(E xtra. 37) points also obviously improved the immunosuppression produce d by trauma. OFQ combined with EA showed antagonism on the suppression , but there was no significant difference compared with OFQ(ICV) or EA alone. When blocking the translation of OFQ receptor mRNA with the AS O, the OFQ induced anti-immunosuppression effect was completely revers ed, but EA still improved the inhibition on NK cell activity. The resu lts suggested that the OFQ played a role in the regulation of immunosu ppression. EA could modulate the suppression of NK cell activity induc ed by surgical trauma. The mechanisms of the modulation of OFQ or EA o n the immunosuppression induced by surgical trauma need further study.