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Huo M, Zhang Q, Si Y, Zhang Y, Chang H, Zhou M, Zhang D, Fang Y. The role of purinergic signaling in acupuncture-mediated relief of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-09985-y. [PMID: 38305986 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-09985-y] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is a traditional medicinal practice in China that has been increasingly recognized in other countries in recent decades. Notably, several reports have demonstrated that acupuncture can effectively aid in pain management. However, the analgesic mechanisms through which acupuncture provides such benefits remain poorly understood. Purinergic signaling, which is mediated by purine nucleotides and purinergic receptors, has been proposed to play a central role in acupuncture analgesia. On the one hand, acupuncture affects the transmission of nociception by increasing adenosine triphosphate dephosphorylation and thereby decreasing downstream P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7 receptors signaling activity, regulating the levels of inflammatory factors, neurotrophic factors, and synapsin I. On the other hand, acupuncture exerts analgesic effects by promoting the production of adenosine, enhancing the expression of downstream adenosine A1 and A2A receptors, and regulating downstream inflammatory factors or synaptic plasticity. Together, this systematic overview of the field provides a sound, evidence-based foundation for future research focused on the application of acupuncture as a means of relieving pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Huo
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxiang Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Si
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Youlin Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongen Chang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Zhou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuxin Fang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
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Wang Q, Li Z, Nie D, Mu X, Wang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Lu Z. Low-frequency electroacupuncture exerts antinociceptive effects through activation of POMC neural circuit induced endorphinergic input to the periaqueductal gray from the arcuate nucleus. Mol Pain 2024; 20:17448069241254201. [PMID: 38670551 PMCID: PMC11102703 DOI: 10.1177/17448069241254201] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been widely recognized that electroacupuncture (EA) inducing the release of β-endorphin represents a crucial mechanism of EA analgesia. The arcuate nucleus (ARC) in the hypothalamus is a vital component of the endogenous opioid peptide system. Serving as an integration center, the periaqueductal gray (PAG) receives neural fiber projections from the frontal cortex, insular cortex, and ARC. However, the specific mechanisms how EA facilitates the release of β-endorphin within the ARC, eliciting analgesic effects are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments by transcriptomics, microdialysis, photogenetics, chemical genetics, and calcium imaging, combined with transgenic animals. Firstly, we detected 2 Hz EA at the Zusanli (ST36) increased the level of β-endorphin and transcriptional level of proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Our transcriptomics profiling demonstrated that 2 Hz EA at the ST36 modulates the expression of c-Fos and Jun B in ARC brain nuclear cluster, and the transcriptional regulation of 2 Hz EA mainly occur in POMC neurons by Immunofluorescence staining verification. Meaning while, 2 Hz EA specifically activated the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway in ARC which mediating the c-Fos and Jun B transcription, and 2 Hz EA analgesia is dependent on the activation of cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway in ARC. In order to investigate how the β-endorphin produced in ARC transfer to integration center PAG, transneuronal tracing technology was used to observe the 2 Hz EA promoted the neural projection from ARC to PAG compared to 100 Hz EA and sham mice. Inhibited PAGGABA neurons, the transfer of β-endorphin from the ARC nucleus to the PAG nucleus through the ARCPOMC-PAGGABA neural circuit. Furthermore, by manipulating the excitability of POMC neurons from ARCPOMC to PAGGABA using inhibitory chemogenetics and optogenetics, we found that this inhibition significantly reduced transfer of β-endorphin from the ARC nucleus to the PAG nucleus and the effectiveness of 2 Hz EA analgesia in neurological POMC cyclization recombination enzyme (Cre) mice and C57BL/6J mice, which indicates that the transfer of β-endorphin depends on the activation of POMC neurons prefect from ARCPOMC to PAGGABA. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neural circuitry underlying the EA pain-relieving effects and maybe provide valuable insights for optimizing EA stimulation parameters in clinical pain treatment using the in vivo dynamic visual investigating the central analgesic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhonghao Li
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengyun Nie
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinru Mu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongwei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongchen Zhang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Jin T, Liu X, Li Y, Li PC, Wan MM, Li LJ, Shi L, Fu ZY, Gao WP. Electroacupuncture Reduces Ocular Surface Neuralgia in Dry-Eyed Guinea Pigs by Inhibiting the Trigeminal Ganglion and Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis P2X 3R-PKC Signaling Pathway. Curr Eye Res 2023; 48:546-556. [PMID: 36803321 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2023.2176886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on ocular surface neuralgia and the P2X3R-PKC signaling pathway in guinea pigs with dry eye. METHODS A dry eye guinea pig model was established by subcutaneous injection of scopolamine hydrobromide. Guinea pigs were monitored for body weight, palpebral fissure height, number of blinks, corneal fluorescein staining score, phenol red thread test, and corneal mechanical perception threshold. Histopathological changes and mRNA expression of P2X3R and protein kinase C in the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis were observed. We performed a second part of the experiment, which involved the P2X3R-specific antagonist A317491 and the P2X3R agonist ATP in dry-eyed guinea pigs to further validate the involvement of the P2X3R-protein kinase C signaling pathway in the regulation of ocular surface neuralgia in dry eye. The number of blinks and corneal mechanical perception threshold were monitored before and 5 min after subconjunctival injection and the protein expression of P2X3R and protein kinase C was detected in the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis of guinea pigs. RESULTS Dry-eyed guinea pigs showed pain-related manifestations and the expression of P2X3R and protein kinase C in the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis was upregulated. Electroacupuncture reduced pain-related manifestations and inhibited the expression of P2X3R and protein kinase C in the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis. Subconjunctival injection of A317491 attenuated corneal mechanoreceptive nociceptive sensitization in dry-eyed guinea pigs, while ATP blocked the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture reduced ocular surface sensory neuralgia in dry-eyed guinea pigs, and the mechanism of action may be associated with the inhibition of the P2X3R-protein kinase C signaling pathway in the trigeminal ganglion and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis by electroacupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Pei-Chen Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mi-Mi Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liu-Jiao Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhang-Yitian Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-Ping Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Jiao H, Ding R, Jin P, Wang J, Xu J, Tian W. Knowledge Mapping of International Research on Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: A Bibliometric Analysis. J Pain Res 2022; 15:3711-3728. [PMID: 36484061 PMCID: PMC9726218 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s392796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the wide acceptance of acupuncture, many papers and guidelines recommend that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain (CP). In this study, we applied bibliometric methods to analyze the current research situation of acupuncture intervention in CP, to gain insight into the current situation and future development trend of this field. MATERIAL AND METHODS Science Citation Index Expanded was searched for publications related to acupuncture for CP between 1900 and 2022. VOSviewer, CiteSpace and Thomson Data Analyzer were used to analyze the annual publication, authors and cited authors and their countries (regions) and institutions, journals and cited journals, cited references, co-occurrence keywords, burst keywords, and the relevant centrality. RESULTS A total of 1968 papers were retrieved, the annual publications have shown a rapid growth trend in the recent 20 years. The USA (708) and the Kyung Hee University (31) were the most productive country and institution, respectively, while the USA (0.37) and University of Maryland (0.13) had the highest centrality. MacPherson, Hugh published the most papers in this field (29), and Vickers, A J were the most influential author (289 times cited). Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine was the most productive journal (92), whereas PAIN was the most influential one (4743 times cited). Breivik, H's (2006) paper had the most citation count (3025), while Furlan's (2005) paper had the highest centrality (0.23). The research focuses in this field mainly include pain, electroacupuncture, Low back pain, Systematic review, Randomized controlled trial etc. Researchers are currently paying more attention to the psychological problems caused by CP. CONCLUSION The research of acupuncture for CP will be further expanded. International cooperation of this research field needs to be further strengthened. More high-quality designed trials need to be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongguan Jiao
- School of Information Engineering, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ran Ding
- School of Health Preservation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pukai Jin
- Department of Radiology, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Junwen Wang
- Institute of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Xu
- Information Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weiyi Tian
- School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Lin C, Yang Q, Wang Y, Zhao W, Li L, Ren X, Zhao J, Zang W, Cao J. Spinal Sirtuin 3 Contributes to Electroacupuncture Analgesia in Mice with Chronic Constriction Injury–Induced Neuropathic Pain. Neuromodulation 2022; 26:563-576. [PMID: 36030144 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese therapeutic technique that has a beneficial effect on neuropathic pain; however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether EA inhibits spinal Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKIIα) phosphorylation through Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) protein, thus relieving neuropathic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used wild-type and SIRT3 knockout (SIRT3-/-) mice and used chronic constriction injury (CCI) as a pain model. We performed Western blotting, immunostaining, von Frey, and Hargreaves tests to gather biochemical and behavioral data. Downregulation and overexpression and spinal SIRT3 protein were achieved by intraspinal injection of SIRT3 small interfering RNA and intraspinal injection of lentivirus-SIRT3. To test the hypothesis that CaMKIIα signaling was involved in the analgesic effects of EA, we expressed CaMKIIα-specific designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) of mice. RESULTS These results showed that the mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia induced by CCI was related to the decreased spinal SIRT3 expression in the SDH of mice. A significant reduction of mechanical and thermal thresholds was found in the SIRT3-/- mice. SIRT3 overexpression or EA treatment alleviated CCI-induced neuropathic pain and prevented the spinal CaMKIIα phosphorylation. Most importantly, EA increased the expression of spinal SIRT3 protein in the SDH. Downregulation of spinal SIRT3 or CaMKIIα Gq-DREADD activation inhibited the regulatory effect of EA on neuropathic pain. CONCLUSION Our results showed that CaMKIIα phosphorylation was inhibited by spinal SIRT3 in neuropathic pain and that EA attenuated CCI-induced neuropathic pain mainly by upregulating spinal SIRT3 expression in the SDH of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Caihong Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qingqing Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yuanzeng Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiuhua Ren
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jianyuan Zhao
- Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Lab of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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