Electroacupuncture improves trinitrobenzene sulfonic Acid-induced colitis, evaluated by transcriptomic study

Changes in Acupuncture-Induced Specific Acupoint Neurotransmitters are Possibly Related to Their Physiological Functions in Rats

This study investigated changes in neurotransmitters induced by the application of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6). A total of 30 rats were divided into five groups: sham, ST (EA at bilateral ST36 and ST37), ScT (ST plus previous neurectomy of the bilateral sciatic nerves), ScS (sham plus previous neurectomy of the bilateral sciatic nerve), and PC (EA at bilateral PC6 and PC7). The P2X2 receptor expression was stronger in the sham group than in the ST and PC groups (both p < 0.05) but similar between the sham and ScT groups (p > 0.05). Dopamine levels in the extracellular fluid surrounding the acupoints were higher in the PC group than in the sham and ST groups during the postacupuncture period (both p < 0.05). Glutamate levels in the extracellular fluid surrounding the acupoints were higher in the ST group than in the sham group during the acupuncture period (p < 0.05) and higher in the ST group than in the sham and PC groups during the postacupuncture period (both p < 0.05). Serum adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were higher in the PC group than in the sham, ST, and ScT groups (all p < 0.05). Glutamate levels in the CSF were higher in the ST group than in the sham, ScS, and PC groups (all p < 0.05). GABA levels in the CSF were higher in the ST group than in the sham, ScT, and PC groups (all p < 0.05). EA at ST36 and ST37 and PC6 and PC7 exerted an analgesic effect, EA at PC6 and PC7 can enhance heart function, and EA at ST36 and ST37 modulates the cerebral cortex. However, the study needs an evaluation of direct pain behavior, heart function, and brain function in the future.

Acupuncture at Back-Shu and Front-Mu Acupoints Prevents Gastric Ulcer by Regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Purpose

To assess the preventive effects of acupuncture at back-shu and front-mu acupoints on rats with restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS)-induced gastric ulcer.

Methods

Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into four groups for 10 days of treatment as follows: the normal group received no treatment; the model group received RWIS-induced gastric ulcer; the omeprazole group was administered omeprazole orally every 2 days; and the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at the RN12 and BL21 acupoints every 2 days. After 10 days of treatment, except for the normal group, all rats were induced with gastric ulcer by RWIS for 3 h. The ulcer index (UI), ulcer inhibition rate, and histopathological score were calculated. We determined the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in serum, and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum and gastric tissues. Protein expression of MyD88, nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65), and toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 was quantified in gastric tissues.

Results

The electroacupuncture and omeprazole groups were equivalent in terms of UI, ulcer inhibition rate, and histopathological score. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture group compared with the omeprazole group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, there were significant changes in the levels of NO, MPO, GSH-Px, and MDA in all other groups, while the expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in gastric tissue decreased significantly in the electroacupuncture group. The expression of TLR4 was substantially lower in the electroacupuncture group compared with the omeprazole group.

Conclusion

Acupuncture at back-shu and front-mu acupoints played a role in preventing gastric ulcer by inhibiting extracellular signals, stimulating kinases in serum and gastric tissues, and activating the inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway.

Autonomically mediated anti-inflammatory effects of electrical stimulation at acupoints in a rodent model of colonic inflammation

BACKGROUND

Acupuncture has been widely accepted for treatments of many diseases. This study was performed to determine effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) by chronically implanted electrodes at acupoint ST36 on colonic inflammation induced by TNBS in rats.

METHODS

After intrarectal administration of TNBS, the rats were treated with sham-EA, EA1/EA2 (two sets of parameters) for 3 weeks. Disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic and microscopic lesions, plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were observed as evaluation of inflammatory responses. The autonomic function was assessed by analysis of the heart rate variability.

RESULTS

(a) Vagal activity was significantly increased with both acute and chronic EA1/EA2; (b) DAI was significantly decreased with both chronic EA1 and EA2, and EA2 was more potent than EA1 (P < 0.05); (c) The macroscopic score was 6.4 ± 0.6 with sham-EA and reduced to 4.9 ± 0.1 with EA1 (P < 0.05) and 4.0 ± 0.2 with EA2 (all P < 0.05). The histological score was 4.05 ± 0.58 with sham-EA and remained unchanged (3.71 ± 0.28) with EA1 (P > 0.05) but reduced to 3.0 ± 0.3 with EA2 (P < 0.01); (d) The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly decreased with EA2.

CONCLUSIONS

Electrical stimulation at ST36 improves colonic inflammation in TNBS-treated rats by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines via the autonomic mechanism.

Electroacupuncture therapy in inflammation regulation: current perspectives

Although acupuncture therapy is increasingly used to treat diverse symptoms and disorders in humans, its underlying mechanism is not known well. Only recently have experimental studies begun to provide insights into how acupuncture stimulation generates and relates to pathophysiological responsiveness. Acupuncture intervention is frequently used to control pathologic symptoms in several visceral organs, and a growing number of studies using experimental animal models suggest that acupuncture stimulation may be involved in inducing anti-inflammatory responses. The vagus nerve, a principal parasympathetic nerve connecting neurons in the central nervous system to cardiovascular systems and a majority of visceral organs, is known to modulate neuroimmune communication and anti-inflammatory responses in target organs. Here, we review a broad range of experimental studies demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture in pathologic animal models of cardiovascular and visceral organs and also ischemic brains. Then, we provide recent progress on the role of autonomic nerve activity in anti-inflammation mediated by electroacupuncture. We also discuss a perspective on the role of sensory signals generated by acupuncture stimulation, which may induce a neural code unique to acupuncture in the central nervous system.

Electro-Acupuncture at Zusanli Acupoint (ST36) Suppresses Inflammation in Allergic Contact Dermatitis Via Triggering Local IL-10 Production and Inhibiting p38 MAPK Activation

Acupuncture has shown beneficial effect in the treatment of multiple dermatologic conditions including dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria, and hyperhidrosis; however, the detailed mechanisms are still kept unclear. This study aimed to investigate if electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment prevents 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in rats and explore its underlying mechanisms. ACD was induced by sensitizing and challenging with DNFB topically. Rats were treated daily following bilateral subcutaneous stimulation of EA at Zusanli acupoint (ST36) for 1 week. Ear swelling and serum IgE levels were measured. The ear biopsies were obtained for histology. Inflammatory cytokines on the dermatological ear and local acupoint tissue were assayed. Spleen lymphocytes and the homogenized supernatant of local acupuncture area were used to co-culture for flow cytology and immune analysis, respectively. EA treatment at ST36 notably inhibited ear swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration on DNFB-induced ACD. EA also decreased serum IgE concentrations and alleviated the production of inflammatory cytokines in dermatological ear. Additionally, EA treatment attenuated the percentage of CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ and CD4⁺IL-4⁺ T cells associated with ACD. Interestingly, secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 in the local acupoint tissue following EA stimulation was increased and showed suppressive function when co-cultured with the spleen lymphocytes from DNFB group. Lastly, EA treatment demonstrably suppressed p38 MAPK activation in DNFB-treated rats. Our findings suggest that EA treatment at ST36 may ameliorate inflammation associated with DNFB-induced ACD via triggering local IL-10 production and inhibiting p38 MAPK activation, which provide an alternative and promising therapy for ACD.

Massage Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Other Forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Complementary and alternative medicine is frequently used by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients; most common are massage, acupuncture, and moxibustion therapy. Massage therapy is poorly studied in IBD patients; therefore, its benefits remain unknown. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy have been shown to improve inflammation and symptoms in animal and human studies. However, current clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion are of insufficient quality to recommend them as alternative therapy. Nonetheless, because these therapies seem generally to be safe, they may have a role as complementary to conventional therapy.

Comprehensive evaluation of gene expression signatures in response to electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint by transcriptomic analysis

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been applied to treat and prevent diseases for years. However, molecular events happened in both the acupunctured site and the internal organs after EA stimulation have not been clarified.

Methods

Here we applied transcriptomic analysis to explore the gene expression signatures after EA stimulation. Mice were applied EA stimulation at ST36 for 15 min and nine tissues were collected three hours later for microarray analysis.

Results

We found that EA affected the expression of genes not only in the acupunctured site but also in the internal organs. EA commonly affected biological networks involved in cytoskeleton and cell adhesion, and also regulated unique process networks in specific organs, such as γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmission in brain and inflammation process in lung. In addition, EA affected the expression of genes related to various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases in brain and obstructive pulmonary diseases in lung.

Conclusions

This report applied, for the first time, a global comprehensive genome-wide approach to analyze the gene expression profiling of acupunctured site and internal organs after EA stimulation. The connection between gene expression signatures, biological processes, and diseases might provide a basis for prediction and explanation on the therapeutic potentials of acupuncture in organs.

Risk for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Fibromyalgia Patients: A National Database Study

Various studies have shown that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is highly associated with other pathologies, including fibromyalgia (FM). The objective of this study was to analyze the differences among risk factors associated with IBS following FM in a nationwide prospective cohort study.We propose that a relationship exists between FM and IBS. This article presents evidence obtained from a cohort study in which we used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to clarify the relationship between FM and IBS. The follow-up period ran from the start of FM diagnosis to the date of the IBS event, censoring, or December 31, 2011. We analyzed the risk of IBS using Cox proportional hazard regression models, including sex, age, and comorbidities.During the follow-up period, from 2000 to 2011, the overall incidence of IBS was higher in FM patients than in non-FM patients (7.47 vs 4.42 per 1000 person-years), with a crude hazard ratio = 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-1.79). After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, FM was associated with a 1.54-fold increased risk for IBS.Mutually risk factors may influence the relationship between FM and IBS. We recommend that physiologists conduct annual examinations of FM patients to reduce the incidence of IBS progression.

Complementary and Alternative Medicines Used by Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Patients and physicians often have many questions regarding the role of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), or nonallopathic therapies, for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). CAMs of various forms are used by more than half of patients with IBD during some point in their disease course. We summarize the available evidence for the most commonly used and discussed CAMs. We discuss evidence for the effects of herbs (such as cannabis and curcumin), probiotics, acupuncture, exercise, and mind-body therapy. There have been few controlled studies of these therapies, which have been limited by their small sample sizes; most studies have been uncontrolled. In addition, there has been a lack of quality control for herbal preparations. It has been a challenge to design rigorous, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, in part owing to problems of adequate blinding for psychological interventions, acupuncture, and exercise. These barriers have limited the acceptance of CAMs by physicians. However, such therapies might be used to supplement conventional therapies and help ease patient symptoms. We conclude that physicians should understand the nature of and evidence for CAMs for IBD so that rational advice can be offered to patients who inquire about their use. CAMs have the potential to aid in the treatment of IBD, but further research is needed to validate these approaches.

Moxibustion and Acupuncture Ameliorate Crohn's Disease by Regulating the Balance between Th17 and Treg Cells in the Intestinal Mucosa

Previous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is beneficial to patients with Crohn's disease (CD), but the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects remains unclear. To identify the mechanism by which acupuncture treats CD, the balance between Th17 and Treg cells was assessed in CD patients. In this study, Ninety-two CD patients were randomly and equally assigned to a treatment group that were treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion and acupuncture or a control group with wheat bran-partitioned moxibustion and superficial acupuncture. The effect of these treatments on Th17 and Treg cells and their related molecular markers in the intestinal mucosa were detected before (week 0) and after (week 12) treatment. The results suggested that the ratio of Th17 and Treg cells was significantly decreased after treatment and that the levels of IL-17 and RORγt in the intestinal mucosa were obviously reduced, while the expression of FOXP3 was increased after treatment in both groups. In the treatment group, the expression of these molecules was more markedly regulated than the control group. In conclusion, moxibustion and acupuncture have been shown to regulate the ratio of Th17 and Treg cells in the intestinal mucosa of CD patients and restore the balance between these immune cell subsets.

Risk for irritable bowel syndrome in fibromyalgia patients: a national database study

Various studies have shown that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is highly associated with other pathologies, including fibromyalgia (FM). The objective of this study was to analyze the differences among risk factors associated with IBS following FM in a nationwide prospective cohort study. We propose that a relationship exists between FM and IBS. This article presents evidence obtained from a cohort study in which we used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to clarify the relationship between FM and IBS. The follow-up period ran from the start of FM diagnosis to the date of the IBS event, censoring, or December 31, 2011. We analyzed the risk of IBS using Cox proportional hazard regression models, including sex, age, and comorbidities. During the follow-up period, from 2000 to 2011, the overall incidence of IBS was higher in FM patients than in non-FM patients (7.47 vs 4.42 per 1000 person-years), with a crude hazard ratio = 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-1.63). After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, FM was associated with a 1.54-fold increased risk for IBS. Mutually risk factors may influence the relationship between FM and IBS. We recommend that physiologists conduct annual examinations of FM patients to reduce the incidence of IBS progression.