BACKGROUND: To investigate the general action of stellate ganglion block (SGB), we examined the effects of heat stimulation and cold stress on the behavior and stress hormone of the bilateral cervical sympathectomy rats as a long-term and repeated SGB model. METHODS: Wistar's male rats were divided into three groups: control (C), sham operation (S) and sympathectomy (Sx) groups. After 2 weeks, two experiments were done. One was measurement of escape response time from the heat stimulus and the other was hormone measurement. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and beta-endorphine (beta-END) levels were measured assigning 3 groups to 2 subgroups with and without cold stress. RESULTS: Escape response time was significantly extended in the Sx group. ACTH in the Sx group was significantly higher than in other groups, but changes of ACTH by cold stress were similar in 3 groups. In the Sx group alpha-MSH was hardly changed by cold stress while alpha-MSH was significantly decreased in the S group. Changes of beta-END by cold stress were similar in the S and Sx groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SGB works systemically through hypothalamus endocrine system and affects stress hormone differently.
BACKGROUND: To investigate the general action of stellate ganglion block (SGB), we examined the effects of heat stimulation and cold stress on the behavior and stress hormone of the bilateral cervical sympathectomy rats as a long-term and repeated SGB model. METHODS: Wistar's male rats were divided into three groups: control (C), sham operation (S) and sympathectomy (Sx) groups. After 2 weeks, two experiments were done. One was measurement of escape response time from the heat stimulus and the other was hormone measurement. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and beta-endorphine (beta-END) levels were measured assigning 3 groups to 2 subgroups with and without cold stress. RESULTS: Escape response time was significantly extended in the Sx group. ACTH in the Sx group was significantly higher than in other groups, but changes of ACTH by cold stress were similar in 3 groups. In the Sx group alpha-MSH was hardly changed by cold stress while alpha-MSH was significantly decreased in the S group. Changes of beta-END by cold stress were similar in the S and Sx groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SGB works systemically through hypothalamus endocrine system and affects stress hormone differently.