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Décarie-Spain L, Hayes AMR, Lauer LT, Kanoski SE. The gut-brain axis and cognitive control: A role for the vagus nerve. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 156:201-209. [PMID: 36803834 PMCID: PMC10427741 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Survival requires the integration of external information and interoceptive cues to effectively guide advantageous behaviors, particularly foraging and other behaviors that promote energy acquisition and consumption. The vagus nerve acts as a critical relay between the abdominal viscera and the brain to convey metabolic signals. This review synthesizes recent findings from rodent models and humans revealing the impact of vagus nerve signaling from the gut on the control of higher-order neurocognitive domains, including anxiety, depression, reward motivation, and learning and memory. We propose a framework where meal consumption engages gastrointestinal tract-originating vagal afferent signaling that functions to alleviate anxiety and depressive-like states, while also promoting motivational and memory functions. These concurrent processes serve to favor the encoding of meal-relevant information into memory storage, thus facilitating future foraging behaviors. Modulation of these neurocognitive domains by vagal tone is also discussed in the context of pathological conditions, including the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and dementia-associated memory impairments. Collectively, these findings highlight the contributions of gastrointestinal vagus nerve signaling to the regulation of neurocognitive processes that shape various adaptive behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Décarie-Spain
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Anna M R Hayes
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Logan Tierno Lauer
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Scott E Kanoski
- Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, 3641Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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2
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Schiweck C, Edwin Thanarajah S. Response Letter to "Comment on no consistent evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of vagus nerve stimulation in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Brain Behav Immun 2024:S0889-1591(24)00290-3. [PMID: 38479631 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Schiweck
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany; Max-Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.
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Yan L, Li H, Qian Y, Zhang J, Cong S, Zhang X, Wu L, Wang Y, Wang M, Yu T. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: a new strategy for Alzheimer's disease intervention through the brain-gut-microbiota axis? Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1334887. [PMID: 38476661 PMCID: PMC10927744 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1334887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is an emerging non-invasive technique designed to stimulate branches of the vagus nerve distributed over the body surface. Studies suggest a correlation between the brain-gut-microbiota (BGM) axis and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The BGM axis represents a complex bidirectional communication system, with the vagus nerve being a crucial component. Therefore, non-invasive electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve might have the potential to modify-most of the time probably in a non-physiological way-the signal transmission within the BGM axis, potentially influencing the progression or symptoms of AD. This review explores the interaction between percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation and the BGM axis, emphasizing its potential effects on AD. It examines various aspects, such as specific brain regions, gut microbiota composition, maintenance of intestinal environmental homeostasis, inflammatory responses, brain plasticity, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. The review suggests that tVNS could serve as an effective strategy to modulate the BGM axis and potentially intervene in the progression or treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Yan
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Li
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yulin Qian
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shan Cong
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- Graduate Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuemin Zhang
- Graduate Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Linna Wu
- Graduate Department, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Wang
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Wang
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Yu
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
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4
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Herlihy RA, Alicandri F, Berger H, Rehman H, Kao Y, Akhtar K, Dybas E, Mahoney-Rafferty E, Von Stein K, Kirby R, Tawfik A, Skumurski R, Feustel PJ, Molho ES, Shin DS. Investigation of non-invasive focused ultrasound efficacy on depressive-like behavior in hemiparkinsonian rats. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:321-336. [PMID: 38059986 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06750-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) that includes anhedonia and impacts quality of life but is not effectively treated with conventional antidepressants clinically. Vagus nerve stimulation improves treatment-resistant depression in the general population, but research about its antidepressant efficacy in PD is limited. Here, we administered peripheral non-invasive focused ultrasound to hemiparkinsonian ('PD') and non-parkinsonian (sham) rats to mimic vagus nerve stimulation and assessed its antidepressant-like efficacy. Following 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion, akinesia-like immobility was assessed in the limb-use asymmetry test, and despair- and anhedonic-like behaviors were evaluated in the forced swim test and sucrose preference test, respectively. After, tyrosine hydroxylase immuno-staining was employed to visualize and quantify dopaminergic degeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area, and striatum. We found that PD rats exhibited akinesia-like immobility and > 90% reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase immuno-staining ipsilateral to the lesioned side. PD rats also demonstrated anhedonic-like behavior in the sucrose preference test compared to sham rats. No 6-OHDA lesion effect on immobility in the forced swim test limited conclusions about the efficacy of ultrasound on despair-like behavior. However, ultrasound improved anhedonic-like behavior in PD rats and this efficacy was sustained through the end of the 1-week recovery period. The greatest number of animals demonstrating increased sucrose preference was in the PD group receiving ultrasound. Our findings here are the first to posit that peripheral non-invasive focused ultrasound to the celiac plexus may improve anhedonia in PD with further investigation needed to reveal its potential for clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Herlihy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Francisco Alicandri
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Hudy Berger
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Huda Rehman
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Yifan Kao
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Kainat Akhtar
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Elizabeth Dybas
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Emily Mahoney-Rafferty
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Kassie Von Stein
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Raven Kirby
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Angela Tawfik
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Rachel Skumurski
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Paul J Feustel
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Eric S Molho
- Department of Neurology, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Damian S Shin
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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Lv H, Yu X, Wang P, Luo M, Luo Y, Lu H, Wang K, Xi A, Wen C, Xu Z. Locus coeruleus tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons mediated the peripheral and central therapeutic effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in MRL/lpr mice. Brain Stimul 2024; 17:49-64. [PMID: 38145753 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in MRL/lpr mice. METHODS MRL/lpr mice were treated with taVNS for ten weeks. Locus coeruleus (LC) tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) neurons were selectively lesioned by stereotactic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or selectively activated by chemogenetic methods. Sympathetic denervation was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHDA. RESULTS TaVNS activated the TH + neurons in LC. TaVNS produced central therapeutic effects by reducing the number of hippocampal microglia, and increasing the number of surviving LC TH+ neurons in MRL/lpr mice. TaVNS also retarded the development of lymphadenectasis and splenomegaly, decreased the proportion of double-negative T (DNT) cells, and alleviated nephritis in MRL/lpr mice. The lesion of LC TH+ neurons eliminated both these central and peripheral therapeutic effects of taVNS, while chemogenetic activation of LC TH+ neurons mimicked most central and peripheral protective effects of taVNS in MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, taVNS regulated the autonomic nervous system in MRL/lpr mice. CONCLUSION This study provides direct evidence that taVNS can retard the development of peripheral and central symptoms of SLE, which is mediated by the LC TH+ neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Lv
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiu Yu
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengxian Luo
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yijun Luo
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haimei Lu
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Keer Wang
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Anran Xi
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chengping Wen
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhenghao Xu
- Laboratory of Rheumatology & Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Rheumatology of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Zhang F, Zhang X, Peng Q, Tang L. Electroacupuncture of the cymba concha alleviates p-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia in mice. Acupunct Med 2023; 41:345-353. [PMID: 37081732 DOI: 10.1177/09645284231160193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and is often comorbid with mental and physical diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the hypnotic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of the cymba concha to stimulate the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN). METHODS Mice were intraperitoneally injected with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 300 mg/kg·d) for 2 days to induce insomnia and subsequently received EA or manual acupuncture (MA) of the cymba concha for 30 min once daily for 5 consecutive days, or no treatment. The phenobarbital-induced sleep test was used to analyze the hypnotic effects and the open field test was used to analyze the locomotor activities and anxiolytic effects of EA/MA of the cymba concha. In addition, the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) in the hypothalamus and peripheral blood were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS PCPA injection significantly decreased sleep duration, increased sleep latency and induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. In PCPA-insulted mice, EA of the cymba concha improved the sleep disturbance by significantly prolonging sleep duration, while no change in sleep latency was observed. Moreover, EA of the cymba concha improved PCPA-induced anxiety-like behaviors without decreasing locomotor activities in the open field test. EA of the cymba concha increased the level of GABA in the hypothalamus and peripheral blood, while Glu concentrations remained unchanged. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that EA of the region innervated by the ABVN upregulates GABA levels in the hypothalamus and ameliorates the symptoms of insomnia and anxiety, suggesting that EA of the cymba concha might have potential value as an intervention for insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenyan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Sub-Health Institute, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Peng
- University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Department of Neurology, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Veiz E, Kieslich SK, Czesnik D, Herrmann-Lingen C, Meyer T, Staab J. A randomized vagus nerve stimulation study demonstrates that serum aldosterone levels decrease with age in women, but not in men. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14197. [PMID: 37648715 PMCID: PMC10469189 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40113-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this randomized, sham-controlled study, we explored the effects of acute transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) on serum aldosterone in 20 younger (21-26 years) and 19 older (40-70 years) healthy participants. Blood samples were collected on two different days before and after a 20-min application of active tVNS at the inner tragus or sham stimulation of the earlobe. Irrespective of the stimulation mode, aldosterone levels decreased from pre- to post-stimulation in both the young (active: β = - 1.610 (- 2.855, - 0.365), p = 0.022; sham: β = - 0.857 (- 2.102, 0.388), p = 0.257) and the old cohort (active: β = - 1.969 (- 3.234, - 0.703), p = 0.005; sham: β = - 1.334 (- 2.600, - 0.069), p = 0.063). Although this decline was significant during active tVNS, the difference in estimated β-coefficients between active and sham stimulation was not statistically significant in either cohort. Nevertheless, aldosterone concentrations showed a significant interaction effect between sex and age (p = 0.001). Among all study participants, younger women (23.3 ± 1.6 years) had the highest mineralocorticoid levels (pre active: 172.1 ± 102.0 pg/ml, pre sham: 214.3 ± 82.3 pg/ml), whereas the lowest were observed in older females (59.4 ± 9.4 years) (pre active: 104.9 ± 85.8 pg/ml, pre sham: 81.1 ± 53.8 pg/ml). This post hoc analysis did not suggest that active auricular tVNS reduces serum aldosterone levels compared to sham stimulation in healthy subjects. However, serum aldosterone levels differed among subjects depending on their age and sex, irrespective of tVNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Veiz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Susann-Kristin Kieslich
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Czesnik
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Herrmann-Lingen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Julia Staab
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Ma Y, Li B, Cui Y, Zhang Z, Jiang S, Yan X, He J, Du Y. The Top 100 Cited Articles on Acupuncture in the Last 20 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis. Complement Med Res 2023; 30:393-407. [PMID: 37263232 DOI: 10.1159/000530778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has gained increasing international attention in recent decades. The act of incorporating acupuncture treatment into the routine treatment of COVID-19 in China drove us to review the 100 most influential articles of the last 20 years to learn about the current status and trends of acupuncture. METHOD Articles related to acupuncture from January 1, 2001, to July 4, 2022, were searched in the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection database. The top 100 most cited publications were selected, and information was extracted. Software such as VOSviewer, GraphPad Prism, Scimago Graphica, and CiteSpace were used to visualize and analyze the extracted data. RESULT The 100 most cited articles were identified, with an average of 218 citations (range: 131-625). The majority of the top 100 articles were from the USA (n = 53). The institution that published the most highly cited papers was Harvard University (n = 16). The most influential team was Klaus Linde's group. Pain was the top-ranked journal in terms of the number of publications. The largest clusters for co-occurrence keyword analysis focused on acupuncture and electroacupuncture analgesia and brain imaging responses to acupuncture stimulation via functional MRI. The two highest strength burst keywords were "randomized controlled trials" and "osteoarthritis," with "randomized controlled trials" being a consistent burst keyword from 2011 to the present. CONCLUSION This study provides insight into articles of historical significance in the field of acupuncture through bibliometric analysis. These data should provide clinicians and researchers with insight into future directions related to acupuncture. Hintergrund Die Akupunktur hat in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten zunehmend die internationale Aufmerksamkeit auf sich gezogen. Die Einbeziehung der Akupunktur in die Routinebehandlung von COVID-19 in China hat uns dazu veranlasst, die 100 einflussreichsten Artikel der letzten 20 Jahre zu überprüfen, um etwas über den aktuellen Stand und die Trends in der Akupunktur zu erfahren. Methode Artikel mit Bezug zu Akupunktur vom 1. Januar 2001 bis 4. Juli 2022 wurden in der Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection Datenbank gesucht. Die 100 am häufigsten zitierten Veröffentlichungen wurden ausgewählt und die Informationen wurden extrahiert. Visualisierung und Analyse der extrahierten Daten erfolgten mithilfe der Software VOSviewer, GraphPad Prism, Scimago Graphica und CiteSpace. Ergebnis Es wurden die 100 am häufigsten zitierten Artikel ermittelt mit durchschnittlich 218 Zitierungen (Spanne: 131 bis 625). Der Großteil der 100 meistzitierten Artikel stammte aus den Vereinigten Staaten ( n = 53). Die Institution, die die meisten zitierten Artikel veröffentlichte, war die Harvard-Universität ( n = 16). Das einflussreichste Team war die Gruppe von Klaus Linde. Was die Zahl der Veröffentlichungen betrifft, war Pain die am häufigsten zitierte Zeitschrift. Bei der Analyse der Koinzidenz von Schlüsselwörtern lag der Fokus der größten Cluster auf Akupunktur-und Elektroakupunktur-Analgesie sowie auf den Reaktionen auf Akupunkturstimulation in den bildgebenden Untersuchungen des Gehirns mittels funktioneller MRT. Die beiden stärksten Burst-Schlüsselwörter waren “randomisierte kontrollierte Studien” und “Osteoarthritis,” wobei “randomisierte kontrollierte Studien” von 2011 bis heute durchgängig ein Burst-Schlüsselwort ist. Schlussfolgerung Diese Studie bietet einen Einblick in historisch bedeutsame Artikel auf dem Gebiet der Akupunktur mittels bibliometrischer analyse. Diese Daten sollen Klinikern und Forschern einen Einblick in zukünftige Richtungen im Zusammenhang mit Akupunktur geben.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Ma
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China,
| | - Bo Li
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Cui
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Zixing Zhang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiyi Jiang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiong Yan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Junpeng He
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuzheng Du
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
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Zhang S, He H, Wang Y, Wang X, Liu X. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential novel treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7721. [PMID: 37173458 PMCID: PMC10182028 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34746-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. The etiology of PCOS is multifactorial, and current treatments for PCOS are far from satisfactory. Recently, an imbalanced autonomic nervous system (ANS) with sympathetic hyperactivity and reduced parasympathetic nerve activity (vagal tone) has aroused increasing attention in the pathogenesis of PCOS. In this paper, we review an innovative therapy for the treatment of PCOS and related co-morbidities by targeting parasympathetic modulation based on non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (ta-VNS). In this work, we present the role of the ANS in the development of PCOS and describe a large number of experimental and clinical reports that support the favorable effects of VNS/ta-VNS in treating a variety of symptoms, including obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, inflammation, microbiome dysregulation, cardiovascular disease, and depression, all of which are also commonly present in PCOS patients. We propose a model focusing on ta-VNS that may treat PCOS by (1) regulating energy metabolism via bidirectional vagal signaling; (2) reversing insulin resistance via its antidiabetic effect; (3) activating anti-inflammatory pathways; (4) restoring homeostasis of the microbiota-gut-brain axis; (5) restoring the sympatho-vagal balance to improve CVD outcomes; (6) and modulating mental disorders. ta-VNS is a safe clinical procedure and it might be a promising new treatment approach for PCOS, or at least a supplementary treatment for current therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shike Zhang
- Southern University of Science and Technology Yantian Hospital, Shenzhen, 518081, China
- Shenzhen Yantian District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518081, China
| | - Hui He
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
| | - Yu Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaofang Liu
- Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
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10
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Zhang ZJ, Zhang SY, Yang XJ, Qin ZS, Xu FQ, Jin GX, Hou XB, Liu Y, Cai JF, Xiao HB, Wong YK, Zheng Y, Shi L, Zhang JN, Zhao YY, Xiao X, Zhang LL, Jiao Y, Wang Y, He JK, Chen GB, Rong PJ. Transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoint stimulation versus escitalopram for mild-to-moderate depression: An assessor-blinded, randomized, non-inferiority trial. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 77:168-177. [PMID: 36445151 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
AIM Transcutaneous electrical cranial-auricular acupoint stimulation (TECAS) is a novel non-invasive therapy that stimulates acupoints innervated by the trigeminal and auricular vagus nerves. An assessor-blinded, randomized, non-inferiority trial was designed to compare the efficacy of TECAS and escitalopram in mild-to-moderate major depressive disorder. METHODS 468 participants received two TECAS sessions per day at home (n = 233) or approximately 10-13 mg/day escitalopram (n = 235) for 8 weeks plus 4-week follow-up. The primary outcome was clinical response, defined as a baseline-to-endpoint ≥50% reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score. Secondary outcomes included remission rate, changes in the severity of depression, anxiety, sleep and life quality. RESULTS The response rate was 66.4% on TECAS and 63.2% on escitalopram with a 3.2% difference (95% confidence interval [CI], -5.9% to 12.9%) in intention-to-treat analysis, and 68.5% versus 66.2% with a 2.3% difference (95% CI, -6.9% to 11.4%) in per-protocol analysis. The lower limit of 95% CI of the differences fell within the prespecified non-inferiority margin of -10% (P ≤ 0.004 for non-inferiority). Most secondary outcomes did not differ between the two groups. TECAS-treated participants who experienced psychological trauma displayed a markedly greater response than those without traumatic experience (81.3% vs 62.1%, P = 0.013). TECAS caused much fewer adverse events than escitalopram. CONCLUSIONS TECAS was comparable to escitalopram in improving depression and related symptoms, with high acceptability, better safety profile, and particular efficacy in reducing trauma-associated depression. It could serve an effective portable therapy for mild-to-moderate depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang-Jin Zhang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shui-Yan Zhang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Jing Yang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zong-Shi Qin
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feng-Quan Xu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China
| | - Gui-Xing Jin
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Hou
- Beijing First Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ji-Fu Cai
- Department of Neurology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China
| | - Hai-Bing Xiao
- Department of Neurology, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China
| | - Yat Kwan Wong
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Shenzhen, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Zheng
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Niu Zhang
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Zhao
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- Beijing First Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Liu-Lu Zhang
- The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yue Jiao
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China.,Department of TCM, Tsinghua University Hospital Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Kai He
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Bing Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine; Institute of Geriatric Immunology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Jing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), Beijing, China
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11
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Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Visceral Hypersensitivity and Gastric Motility and Depression-like Behaviors via Vago-Vagal Pathway in a Rat Model of Functional Dyspepsia. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020253. [PMID: 36831796 PMCID: PMC9954117 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation was recently reported to have a therapeutic potential for functional dyspepsia (FD). This study aimed to explore the integrative effects and mechanisms of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) in a rodent model of FD. METHODS We evaluated the effects of aVNS on visceral hypersensitivity, gastric motility and open field test (OFT) activity in iodoacetamide (IA)-treated rats. The autonomic function was assessed; blood samples and tissues were collected and analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. Vagotomy was performed to investigate the role of vagal efferent nerve. RESULTS aVNS reduced the electromyography response to gastric distension, improved gastric emptying and increased the horizontal and vertical motion scores of the OFT in IA-treated rats. The sympathovagal ratio was increased in IA-treated rats but normalized with aVNS. The serum cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and NF-κBp65 were increased in IA-treated rats and decreased with aVNS. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis was hyperactive in IA-treated rats but inhibited by aVNS. The expression of duodenal desmoglein 2 and occludin were all decreased in IA-treated rats and increased with aVNS but not sham-aVNS. Vagotomy abolished the ameliorating effects of aVNS on gastric emptying, horizontal motions, serum TNF-α and duodenal NF-κBp65. CONCLUSION aVNS improves gastric motility and gastric hypersensitivity probably by anti-inflammatory mechanisms via the vago-vagal pathways. A better understanding on the mechanisms of action involved with aVNS would lead to the optimization of the taVNS methodology and promote taVNS as a non-pharmacological alternative therapy for FD.
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12
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Johnson SB, Lingg RT, Skog TD, Hinz DC, Romig-Martin SA, Viau V, Narayanan NS, Radley JJ. Activity in a prefrontal-periaqueductal gray circuit overcomes behavioral and endocrine features of the passive coping stress response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210783119. [PMID: 36306326 PMCID: PMC9636920 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210783119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The question of how the brain links behavioral and biological features of defensive responses has remained elusive. The importance of this problem is underscored by the observation that behavioral passivity in stress coping is associated with elevations in glucocorticoid hormones, and each may carry risks for susceptibility to a host of stress-related diseases. Past work implicates the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the top-down regulation of stress-related behaviors; however, it is unknown whether such changes have the capacity to buffer against the longer-lasting biological consequences associated with aversive experiences. Using the shock probe defensive burying test in rats to naturalistically measure behavioral and endocrine features of coping, we observed that the active behavioral component of stress coping is associated with increases in activity along a circuit involving the caudal mPFC and midbrain dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG). Optogenetic manipulations of the caudal mPFC-to-dorsolateral PAG pathway bidirectionally modulated active (escape and defensive burying) behaviors, distinct from a rostral mPFC-ventrolateral PAG circuit that instead limited passive (immobility) behavior. Strikingly, under conditions that biased rats toward a passive coping response set, including exaggerated stress hormonal output and increased immobility, excitation of the caudal mPFC-dorsolateral PAG projection significantly attenuated each of these features. These results lend insight into how the brain coordinates response features to overcome passive coping and may be of importance for understanding how activated neural systems promote stress resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane B. Johnson
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Ryan T. Lingg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Timothy D. Skog
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Dalton C. Hinz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Sara A. Romig-Martin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Victor Viau
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Nandakumar S. Narayanan
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Jason J. Radley
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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13
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Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Ameliorates Functional Dyspepsia with Depressive-Like Behavior and Inhibits the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in a Rat Model. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:4719-4731. [PMID: 35064375 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-07332-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is the most important endocrine system to control irritability response. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is closely related to irritability. This study aimed to preliminarily explore the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mechanism of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) for FD model rats. METHODS Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, aVNS group, and sham-aVNS group. Except for the normal rats, all other rats were induced into the FD model through tail-clamping stimulation for 3 weeks. Once the rat model was developed successfully, rats in the aVNS group and sham-aVNS group were intervened with aVNS or sham-aVNS for 2 weeks. No intervention was given to rats in the normal and model groups. The effect of aVNS was assessed. The expressions of hippocampal corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), hypothalamus CRF, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone in serum were assessed. RESULTS 1. Compared with normal rats, model-developing rats showed FD-like behavior. 2. Compared with model rats, rats in the aVNS group showed an improved general condition score and gastric motility, and increased horizontal and vertical motion scores. 3. The release of corticosterone, ACTH in serum, and CRF in the hypothalamus all increased in model rats but decreased with aVNS instead of sham-aVNS. 4. The expression of hippocampus CRHR1 was lower in model rats but higher in the aVNS group. CONCLUSION aVNS ameliorates gastric motility and improves the mental state in the FD-like rat, probably via inhibiting the CRF pathway.
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14
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Yu Y, Jiang X, Fang X, Wang Y, Liu P, Ling J, Yu L, Jiang M, Tang C. Transauricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation at 40 Hz Inhibits Hippocampal P2X7R/NLRP3/Caspase-1 Signaling and Improves Spatial Learning and Memory in 6-Month-Old APP/PS1 Mice. Neuromodulation 2022; 26:589-600. [PMID: 35595603 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transauricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) at 40 Hz attenuates hippocampal amyloid load in 6-month-old amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice, but it is unclear whether 40-Hz taVNS can improve cognition in these mice. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS 6-month-old C57BL/6 (wild type [WT]) and APP/PS1 mice were subjected to 40-Hz taVNS. Novel Object Recognition and the Morris Water Maze were used to evaluate cognition. Hippocampal amyloid-β (Aβ)1-40, Aβ1-42, pro-interleukin (IL)-1β, and pro-IL-18 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Hippocampal Aβ42, purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 expression were evaluated by western blotting. Histologic assessments including immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Nissl staining, and Congo red staining were used to assess microglial phagocytosis, neuroprotective effects, and Aβ plaque load. RESULTS 40-Hz taVNS improved spatial memory and learning in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice but did not affect recognition memory. There were no effects on the cognitive behaviors of 6-month-old WT mice. taVNS at 40 Hz modulated microglia; significantly decreased levels of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, pro-IL-1β, and pro-IL-18; inhibited Aβ42, P2X7R, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 expression; reduced Aβ deposits; and had neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus of 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice. These changes were not observed in 6-month-old WT mice. CONCLUSION Our results show that 40-Hz taVNS inhibits the hippocampal P2X7R/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling and improves spatial learning and memory in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Yu
- Acupuncture Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuejiao Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Fang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Ling
- Department of Gynecology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lingling Yu
- Department of Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Acupuncture Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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15
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Long L, Zang Q, Jia G, Fan M, Zhang L, Qi Y, Liu Y, Yu L, Wang S. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Promotes White Matter Repair and Improves Dysphagia Symptoms in Cerebral Ischemia Model Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:811419. [PMID: 35493949 PMCID: PMC9051615 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.811419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical and animal studies have shown that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) exerts neuroprotection following cerebral ischemia. Studies have revealed that white matter damage after ischemia is related to swallowing defects, and the degree of white matter damage is related to the severity of dysphagia. However, the effect of ta-VNS on dysphagia symptoms and white matter damage in dysphagic animals after an ischemic stroke has not been investigated. Methods Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats were randomly divided into the sham, control and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) group, which subsequently received ta-VNS for 3 weeks. The swallowing reflex was measured once weekly by electromyography (EMG). White matter remyelination, volume, angiogenesis and the inflammatory response in the white matter were assessed by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, stereology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. Results ta-VNS significantly increased the number of swallows within 20 s and reduced the onset latency to the first swallow. ta-VNS significantly improved remyelination but did not alleviate white matter shrinkage after MCAO. Stereology revealed that ta-VNS significantly increased the density of capillaries and increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) expression in the white matter. ta-VNS significantly alleviated the increase inTLR4, MyD88, phosphorylated MAPK and NF-κB protein levels and suppressed the expression of the proinflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α. Conclusion These results indicated ta-VNS slightly improved dysphagia symptoms after ischemic stroke, possibly by increasing remyelination, inducing angiogenesis, and inhibiting the inflammatory response in the white matter of cerebral ischaemia model rats, implying that ta-VNS may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of dysphagia after ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Long
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianwen Zang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gongwei Jia
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meng Fan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weinan Central Hospital, Weinan, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingqiang Qi
- Center of Electron Microscope, Institute of Life Science of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lehua Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sanrong Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Sanrong Wang
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16
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Yu Y, He X, Wang Y, Zhang J, Tang C, Rong P. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation inhibits limbic-regional P2X7R expression and reverses depressive-like behaviors in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Neurosci Lett 2022; 775:136562. [PMID: 35245625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) along with depressive-like behaviors. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) has antidiabetic and antidepressant-like effects in ZDF rats; however, the underlying antidepressant-like mechanisms are unclear. The purinergic receptor P2X7R, which is related to inflammation and depression, is upregulated in the limbic brain regions of depressed patients and rodents and is considered as a potential therapeutic target. Thus, this study aimed to provide preliminary evidence at the molecular level of taVNS antidepressant-like effect in ZDF rats through testing their limbic-regional P2X7R expression. ZDF rats were subjected to taVNS and transcutaneous non-vagal nerve stimulation (tnVNS). Body weight and blood glucose levels were monitored weekly. Depressive-like behaviors were evaluated with the open-field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST). Limbic-regional P2X7R expression was examined by western blotting (WB). P2X7R expressing cells were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Compared to their lean littermates (ZL rats), ZDF rats developed obesity, hyperglycemia, and depressive-like behaviors with elevated limbic-regional P2X7R expression. taVNS but not tnVNS lowered body weight, reduced and stabilized blood glucose levels, suppressed limbic-regional P2X7R expression, and reversed the depressive-like behaviors. P2X7R was found primarily expressed in ZDF rats' limbic-regional astrocytes. In conclusion, taVNS inhibits ZDF rats' limbic-regional P2X7R expression, which may be one of the taVNS antidepressant-like mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Yu
- Acupuncture Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China; Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xun He
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinling Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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17
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Cheng WJ, Li P, Huang WY, Huang Y, Chen WJ, Chen YP, Shen JL, Chen JK, Long NS, Meng XJ. Acupuncture Relieves Stress-Induced Depressive Behavior by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Neuroapoptosis in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:783056. [PMID: 35058758 PMCID: PMC8763975 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.783056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is closely related to the occurrence of depression. Acupuncture has been proved to be an effective method for treating depression. In order to explore the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of acupuncture, this study performed acupuncture prevention on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model rats, and observed the effect of acupuncture on hippocampal oxidative stress and Nrf2 signaling pathway. Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, CUMS group, acupuncture group, and fluoxetine group (n = 10/group). Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, was used as a positive control drug in this study. In the fluoxetine group, rats were given fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg) intragastrically once a day for 28 days. The acupoints of Shangxing (GV23) and Fengfu (GV16) were applied in acupuncture group, once every other day for 14 times in total. Behavioral tests and biological detections were used to evaluate the effects of the interventions and the changes of factors related to oxidative stress, Nrf2 pathway, and neuronal apoptosis. The results showed that both acupuncture and fluoxetine could increase sugar preference rate in SPT and decrease immobility time in FST in depression model rats. It also significantly decreased oxidative stress products such as ROS and H2O2, and elevated the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1. From Nissl’s staining, there were more abundant nerve cells in two intervention groups compared with CUMS group. Plus, acupuncture down-regulated the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2. Our findings indicate that acupuncture improved depression-like behaviors of CUMS rats. And CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors in rats were related to oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus. Acupuncture showed antidepressant effects in reducing oxidative stress products via regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway so that prevented neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jing Cheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Li
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Ya Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Institute of TCM-Related Comorbid Depression, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wen-Jie Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yi-Ping Chen
- Third Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun-Liang Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jian-Kun Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Na-Sha Long
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xian-Jun Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Xian-Jun Meng,
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Wang JY, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Wang Y, Li SY, Wang YF, Zhang ZX, Zhang J, Rong P. Mechanisms underlying antidepressant effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on CUMS model rats based on hippocampal α7nAchR/NF-κB signal pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:291. [PMID: 34920740 PMCID: PMC8680337 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02341-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stress-induced neuroinflammation was considered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of depression. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a relatively non-invasive alternative treatment for patients suffering from major depressive disorder. The anti-inflammatory signal of vagus nerve is mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAchR), and the hippocampus, the region with the most distribution of α7nAchR, regulates emotions. Here, we investigated the role of α7nAchR mediating hippocampal neuroinflammation in taVNS antidepressant effect though homozygous α7nAChR (−/−) gene knockout and α7nAchR antagonist (methyllycaconitine, MLA). Methods There were control, model, taVNS, α7nAChR(−/−) + taVNS, hippocampus (Hi) MLA + taVNS and Hi saline + taVNS groups. We used the chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) method to establish depressive model rats for 42 days, excepting control group. After the successful modeling, except the control and model, the rats in the other groups were given taVNS, which was applied through an electroacupuncture apparatus at the auricular concha (2/15 Hz, 2 mA, 30 min/days) for 21 days. Behavioral tests were conducted at baseline, after modeling and after taVNS intervention, including sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST). These tests are widely used to evaluate depression-like behavior in rats. The samples were taken after experiment, the expressions of α7nAchR, NF-κB p65, IL-1β and the morphology of microglia were detected. Results Depression-like behavior and hippocampal neuroinflammation in CUMS model rats were manifested by down-regulated expression of α7nAchR, up-regulated expression of NF-κB p65 and IL-1β, and the morphology of microglia was in amoebic-like activated state. TaVNS could significantly reverse the above-mentioned phenomena, but had rare improvement effect for α7nAChR(−/−) rats and Hi MLA rats. Conclusion The antidepressant effect of taVNS is related to hippocampal α7nAchR/NF-κB signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ying Wang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Shao-Yuan Li
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yi-Fei Wang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jinling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Dongcheng District, No.16 Dongzhimen Nan Xiao Street, Beijing, 100700, China.
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19
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Wang Y, Han J, Zhu J, Zhang M, Ju M, Du Y, Tian Z. GluN2A/ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway Involved in Electroacupuncture Regulating Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hyperactivity. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:703044. [PMID: 34658758 PMCID: PMC8514998 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.703044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis caused by stress will inevitably disrupt the homeostasis of the neuroendocrine system and damage physiological functions. It has been demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) can modulate HPA axis hyperactivity during the perioperative period. As the initiating factor of the HPA axis, hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the critical molecule affected by EA. However, the mechanism by which EA reduces CRH synthesis and secretion remains unclear. Activated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) has been linked to over-secretion of hypothalamic CRH induced by stress. To determine whether NMDAR is involved in EA regulating the over-expression of CRH, a surgical model of partial hepatectomy (HT) was established in our experiment. The effect of EA on hypothalamic NMDAR expression in HT mice was examined. Then, we investigated whether the extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway mediated by NMDAR was involved in EA regulating HPA axis hyperactivity. It was found that surgery enhanced the expression of hypothalamic CRH and caused HPA axis hyperactivity. Intriguingly, EA effectively suppressed the expression of CRH and decreased the activation of GluN2A (NMDAR subunit), ERK, and CREB in HT mice. GluN2A, ERK, and CREB antagonists had similar effects on normalizing the expression of CRH and HPA axis function compared with EA. Our findings suggested that surgery enhanced the activation of the hypothalamic GluN2A/ERK/CREB signaling pathway, thus promoting the synthesis and secretion of CRH. EA suppressed the phosphorylation of GluN2A, ERK, and CREB in mice that had undergone surgery, indicating that the GluN2A/ERK/CREB signaling pathway was involved in EA alleviating HPA axis hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mizhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minda Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueshan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhanzhuang Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Zhang Z, Li S, Meng H, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wu M, Chen Y, Rong P, Wang Y. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of depression: A systematic review of clinical research. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 304:2436-2453. [PMID: 34623754 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
As a common mental disorder, depression is one of the leading causes of disability around the world. Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective therapy without obvious side effects compared to limited efficacy and adverse reactions of drug therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and neuromodulation technology in treating depression. The objective of this review is to systematically evaluate whether acupuncture therapies for depression are safe and effective in order to provide a high-quality reference for clinical trials of acupuncture. A systematic search of the literature was carried out through bibliographic search engine PubMed. Subsequently, the study design, intervention methods, control group, results, and safety of acupuncture were analyzed. The results showed that acupuncture as an adjunct to antidepressants or as a single treatment can exert a positive impact on patients' depressive symptoms. Compared with antidepressants, acupuncture has the advantages of fast onset and long-term efficacy in the treatment of depression, and can enhance the efficacy of antidepressants. Moreover, the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of depression maybe related to the qualification of the acupuncturist, the selection of acupoints, and intervention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaoyuan Li
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Meng
- Beijing Key Lab of Plant Resource Research and Development, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mozheng Wu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peijing Rong
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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21
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Szulczewski MT. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Slow Breathing: Speculations on Potential Applications and Technical Considerations. Neuromodulation 2021; 25:380-394. [PMID: 35396070 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a relatively novel noninvasive neurostimulation method that is believed to mimic the effects of invasive cervical VNS. It has recently been suggested that the effectiveness of taVNS can be enhanced by combining it with controlled slow breathing. Slow breathing modulates the activity of the vagus nerve and is used in behavioral medicine to decrease psychophysiological arousal. Based on studies that examine the effects of taVNS and slow breathing separately, this article speculates on some of the conditions in which this combination treatment may prove effective. Furthermore, based on findings from studies on the optimization of taVNS and slow breathing, this article provides guidance on how to combine taVNS with slow breathing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A nonsystematic review. RESULTS Both taVNS and slow breathing are considered promising add-on therapeutic approaches for anxiety and depressive disorders, chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, and insomnia. Therefore, taVNS combined with slow breathing may produce additive or even synergistic beneficial effects in these conditions. Studies on respiratory-gated taVNS during spontaneous breathing suggest that taVNS should be delivered during expiration. Therefore, this article proposes to use taVNS as a breathing pacer to indicate when and for how long to exhale during slow breathing exercises. CONCLUSIONS Combining taVNS with slow breathing seems to be a promising hybrid neurostimulation and behavioral intervention.
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22
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Zhang J, Wu X, Nie D, Zhuo Y, Li J, Hu Q, Xu J, Yu H. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies on Acupuncture Therapy in Depression: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:670739. [PMID: 34489749 PMCID: PMC8417590 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.670739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating studies had been performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand the neural mechanism of acupuncture therapy for depression. However, inconsistencies remain due to differences in research designs and MRI analytical methods. Therefore, we aim to summarize the current MRI research and provide useful information for further research by identifying papers published in English and Chinese about MRI studies on acupuncture for depression up to November 2020. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 810 depression patients and 416 health controls (HCs). The applied designs of these studies are mainly random control trial and pre-post designs. The MRI analytical methods are mainly (fractional) amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF/ALFF) and functional connectivity (FC), whereas a small subset of studies used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The most consistent functional MRI (fMRI) results showed increased N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) ratios, increased ALFF in the right precuneus, decreased ALFF in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and increased FC of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In contrast, no significant neurological changes were identified in any of the DTI or VBM studies. However, clear, reliable conclusions cannot be drawn due to the use of different designs, analytical methods, seed points selected, types of depression, acupuncture points, and so on. Improved report specifications, well-designed studies, consistent analytical methods, and larger sample sizes will enable the field to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in depressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhuan Zhang
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.,Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoxiong Wu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dehui Nie
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhuo
- Acupuncture Department, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaying Li
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingmao Hu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinping Xu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.,Acupuncture Department, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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23
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Wang YM, Xu YY, Zhai Y, Wu QQ, Huang W, Liang Y, Sun YH, Xu LY. Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Protracted Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms in Male Alcohol-Dependent Patients. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:678594. [PMID: 34526917 PMCID: PMC8437143 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.678594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), characterized by the presence of substance-specific signs and symptoms (including anxiety, irritability, mood instability, insomnia, and cravings), make alcohol abstinence difficult and increase the risk of relapse in recovering alcoholics. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on PAWS and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and leptin levels in patients with alcohol dependency. A total of 114 patients with alcohol dependence were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group and the control group. The patients in the treatment group were treated with taVNS of the bilateral auricular concha using an ear vagus nerve stimulator. The Pennsylvania Alcohol Craving Scale was used to evaluate the extent of craving for alcohol. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the extent of anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma BDNF, IL-6, TNF-α, and leptin levels. The results showed that the SDS and PSQI scores were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. Moreover, compared with the control group, the average BDNF levels in the treatment group were significantly increased. These results suggest that taVNS could improve the depression symptoms and sleep quality in alcohol-dependent patients after withdrawal, which might be related to the upregulation of plasma BDNF levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Mei Wang
- Department of Nursing, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Ya-Yun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi Zhai
- Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Department of Material Dependence, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China.,Hefei Medical Research Centre on Alcohol Addiction, Hefei, China
| | - Qian-Qian Wu
- Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Department of Material Dependence, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China.,Hefei Medical Research Centre on Alcohol Addiction, Hefei, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Department of Material Dependence, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China.,Hefei Medical Research Centre on Alcohol Addiction, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Department of Material Dependence, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China.,Hefei Medical Research Centre on Alcohol Addiction, Hefei, China
| | - Yan-Hong Sun
- Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Lian-Yin Xu
- Department of Nursing, Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
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24
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Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation: From Concept to Application. Neurosci Bull 2020; 37:853-862. [PMID: 33355897 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-020-00619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether in the West or the East, the connection between the ear and the rest of the body has been explored for a long time. Especially in the past century or more, the relevant theoretical and applied research on the ear has greatly promoted the development of ear therapy, and finally the concept of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has been proposed. The purpose of taVNS is to treat a disease non-invasively by applying electrical current to the cutaneous receptive field formed by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the outer ear. In the past two decades, taVNS has been a topic of basic, clinical, and transformation research. It has been applied as an alternative to drug treatment for a variety of diseases. Based on the rapid understanding of the application of taVNS to human health and disease, some limitations in the development of this field have also been gradually exposed. Here, we comprehensively review the origin and research status of the field.
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