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Published on: October 20, 2023
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GABRB3 Gene Polymorphisms Influences the Analgesic Response to Acupuncture Treatment in Patients With Chronic Knee
Summary
Genetic variations in GABRB3 rs4906902 influence acupuncture effectiveness for chronic knee pain. Patients with AG/GG genotypes showed better pain relief, linked to brain structure and gene expression changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pain Management
Background:
- Individual variability in acupuncture analgesia for chronic pain is not well understood.
- Investigating genetic, neuroimaging, and transcriptomic factors can elucidate differential responses to acupuncture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the core mechanisms of acupuncture response variability in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain.
- To examine genetic polymorphisms, brain structure, and gene expression related to acupuncture analgesia.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 180 KOA patients in verum acupuncture, sham acupuncture, celecoxib, placebo, or waiting list groups.
- Baseline MRI, genotyping (GABRB3, OPRM1, COMT, BDNF), and efficacy assessments (VAS, WOMAC).
- Analysis included Chi-square test, logistic regression, voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and partial least squares regression.
Main Results:
- No significant difference between verum and sham acupuncture; groups were combined (acupuncture group, AG).
- GABRB3 rs4906902 AG/GG genotype significantly associated with acupuncture response in AG (p < 0.05).
- AG/GG carriers in AG showed reduced gray matter in specific brain regions and higher GABRB3 expression.
Conclusions:
- GABRB3 rs4906902 genetic polymorphisms may influence acupuncture's analgesic effect in KOA patients.
- Carriers of AG/GG genotypes demonstrated superior analgesic effects, potentially due to altered brain structure and GABRB3 gene expression.
