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Fan X, Liu Y, Li S, Yang Y, Zhao Y, Li W, Hao J, Xu Z, Zhang B, Liu W, Zhang S. Comprehensive landscape-style investigation of the molecular mechanism of acupuncture at ST36 single acupoint on different systemic diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26270. [PMID: 38375243 PMCID: PMC10875596 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The principle of acupoint stimulation efficacy is based on traditional meridian theory. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of acupoints in treating diseases remain unclear in modern scientific understanding. In this study, we selected the ST36 acupoint for investigation and summarized all relevant literature from the PubMed database over the past 10 years. The results indicate that stimulation of ST36 single acupoints has therapeutic effects mainly in models of respiratory, neurological, digestive, endocrine and immune system diseases. And it can affect the inflammatory state, oxidative stress, respiratory mucus secretion, intestinal flora, immune cell function, neurotransmitter transmission, hormone secretion, the network of Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) and glucose metabolism of the organism in these pathological states. Among them, acupuncture at the ST36 single point has the most prominent function in regulating the inflammatory state, which can mainly affect the activation of MAPK signaling pathway and drive the "molecular-cellular" mode involving macrophages, T-lymphocytes, mast cells (MCs) and neuroglial cells as the core to trigger the molecular level changes of the acupuncture point locally or in the target organ tissues, thereby establishing a multi-system, multi-target, multi-level molecular regulating mechanism. This article provides a comprehensive summary and discussion of the molecular mechanisms and effects of acupuncture at the ST36 acupoint, laying the groundwork for future in-depth research on acupuncture point theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Fan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300250, China
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yongrui Yang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Yinghui Zhao
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Wenxi Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Jiaxin Hao
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Zhifang Xu
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Institute for TCM-X, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wei Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hebei Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Suzhao Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hebei Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
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Lu WW, Duan XY, Ni JL, Zhu SL, Fei AH, Wang XS. A Prospective Study of Using Chaihu Shugan Powder Combined with Zu San Li Acupoint Stimulation to Improve the Prognosis of Liver Stagnation and Qi Stagnation Syndrome in Acute Pancreatitis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:3177201. [PMID: 36387349 PMCID: PMC9652080 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3177201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of Chaihu Shugan powder combined with Zu San Li acupoint stimulation on the acute pancreatitis of liver and qi stagnation syndromes, the protection of intestinal barrier function, the prevention of severe tendency, and safety evaluation. Method Data were collected from October 2019-June 2021 at Xinhua Hospital, which is affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Emergency Department. Eighty patients with acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into a control treatment group (40 people) and a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment group (40 people). Detailed records of hospitalised patients were obtained, including the general situation of patients' clinical diagnosis and clinical examination before and after treatment. The changes in inflammatory and immune indexes before and after treatment were recorded. Result Compared with the standard treatment group, the relief time of abdominal pain in the TCM treatment group was significantly shortened with statistically significant differences. Compared with the standard treatment group, the levels of WBC, ALT, CA, hemodiastase, lipase, TG, and other factors in the TCM treatment group decreased, whereas the levels of DB, SCR, cholesterol, K+, and other factors increased. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Chaihu Shugan powder combined with Zu San Li acupoint stimulation can reduce the clinical manifestations of liver and qi stagnation syndromes of acute pancreatitis, protect the intestinal barrier function, prevent the tendency of severe illness and improve the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wei Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of General Practice, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Duan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Li Ni
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng-Liang Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ai-Hua Fei
- Department of General Practice, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Su Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zou Y, Bhat OM, Yuan X, Li G, Huang D, Guo Y, Zhou D, Li PL. Release and Actions of Inflammatory Exosomes in Pulmonary Emphysema: Potential Therapeutic Target of Acupuncture. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:3501-3521. [PMID: 34335040 PMCID: PMC8318722 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s312385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exosomes have been reported to mediate activation of the inflammatory response by secretion of inflammasome products such as IL-1β or IL-18 and that changes in exosomes production or secretion may be a therapeutic target for treatment of a variety of different chronic diseases. The present study tested the hypothesis that exosome-mediated release of NLRP3 inflammasome products instigates the inflammatory response in the lung during emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and that electroacupuncture (EA) may attenuate emphysema by inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and consequent inflammation. METHODS The COPD mice model was developed by injecting porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) via puncture tracheotomy and instillation. EA (4 Hz/20 Hz, 1 to 3 mA) was applied to the bilateral BL13 and ST36 for 30 min, once every other day for 2 weeks. Micro computed tomography (micro-CT) was performed to measure lung function. Histopathological changes in the lungs were displayed by HE staining. RESULTS In a mouse model of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced emphysema, the lung tissue was found to display several key features of emphysema, including alveolar septal thickening, enlarged alveoli, interstitial edema, and inflammatory cells infiltration. Lungs of mice receiving PPE exhibited substantially increased low attenuation area (LAA) in micro-CT images. The colocalization of NLRP3 vs ASC or caspase-1 detected by confocal microscopy was shown to increase in both bronchial and alveolar walls, indicating the increased formation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. IL-1β, a prototype NLRP3 inflammasome activating product, was also found to have increased in the lung during emphysema, which was colocalized with CD63 (an exosome marker), an indicative of inflammatory exosome formation. By nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), IL-1β-containing exosomes were shown to significantly increase in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from mice with emphysema. Therapeutically, IL-1β production in the lung during emphysema was significantly reduced by EA at the acupoint Feishu (BL13) and Zusanli (ST36), accompanied by decreased colocalization of NLRP3 vs ASC or caspase-1. Increased exosome release into BAL during emphysema was shown to be significantly attenuated in EA-treated mice compared to their controls. However, EA of non-specific BL23 together with ST36 acupoint had no effects on NLRP3 inflammasome activation, exosome release and associated lung pathology during emphysema. CONCLUSION NLRP3 inflammasome activation in concert with increased release of exosomes containing IL-1β or other inflammasome products contributes to the development of lung inflammation and injury during PPE-induced emphysema and that EA of lung-specific acupoints attenuates inflammasome activation and exosome release, thereby reducing inflammatory response in the lung of mice with emphysema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Owais M Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xinxu Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Guangbi Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Dandan Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yi Guo
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
- School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
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He F, Wang M, Geng X, Ai H. Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Activity of Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in the Hypothalamus and Amygdala in Rats Exposed to Restraint Water-Immersion Stress. Acupunct Med 2018; 36:394-400. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on gastric mucosal lesions and the activity of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CNA) in a rat model of restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS). Methods 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal, RWIS, and RWIS+EA (n=8 per group). Rats in the RWIS group and RWIS+EA group received RWIS for 3 hours. For rats in the RWIS+EA group, EA was applied at ST36 in the bilateral hind legs for 30 min before RWIS. Rats in the normal group did not receive stressors or EA treatment. The gastric mucosal lesions of each rat were evaluated by the erosion index (EI) according to the methods of Guth. The activity of CRH neurons in the PVN and CNA was measured by a dual immunohistochemical test for Fos and CRH in the brain sections. Results RWIS induced serious gastric mucosal lesions. The mean gastric EI was significantly decreased in the RWIS+EA group versus the RWIS group (P=0.005). Stress induced significant activation of CRH neurons in the PVN and CNA compared with the normal group (P<0.001 for both). The mean number of Fos+CRH immunoreactive neurons in the PVN and CNA were both decreased inRWIS+EA versusRWIS groups (P<0.001 and P=0.001). Conclusions EA at ST36 can ameliorate RWIS-induced gastric mucosal lesions and suppress the Fos expression of CRH neurons in the PVN and CNA, suggesting a potentially therapeutic role for EA in stress-related gastric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng He
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Min Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiwen Geng
- Advanced Materials Genome Innovation Team, Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongbin Ai
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Acupuncture on the Stress-Related Drug Relapse to Seeking. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:5367864. [PMID: 30416533 PMCID: PMC6207895 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5367864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disease, which causes serious social and economic problems. The most important trial for the successful treatment of drug addiction is to prevent the high rate of relapse to drug-seeking behaviors. Opponent process as a motivational theory with excessive drug seeking in the negative reinforcement of drug dependence reflects both loss of brain reward system and recruitment of brain stress system. The negative emotional state produced by brain stress system during drug withdrawal might contribute to the intense drug craving and drive drug-seeking behaviors via negative reinforcement mechanisms. Decrease in dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens and recruitment of corticotropin-releasing factor in the extended amygdala are hypothesized to be implicated in mediating this motivated behavior. Also, a brain stress response system is hypothesized to increase drug craving and contribute to relapse to drug-seeking behavior during the preoccupation and anticipation stage of dependence caused by the exposure to stress characterized as the nonspecific responses to any demands on the body. Acupuncture has proven to be effective for reducing drug addiction and stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, acupuncture has been shown to correct reversible brain malfunctions by regulating drug addiction and stress-related neurotransmitters. Accordingly, it seems reasonable to propose that acupuncture attenuates relapse to drug-seeking behavior through inhibition of stress response. In this review, a brief description of stress in relapse to drug-seeking behavior and the effects of acupuncture were presented.
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Zarei S, Shayestehfar M, Memari AH, SeifBarghi T, Sobhani V. Acupuncture decreases competitive anxiety prior to a competition in young athletes: a randomized controlled trial pilot study. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 14:/j/jcim.ahead-of-print/jcim-2015-0085/jcim-2015-0085.xml. [PMID: 28199216 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2015-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Although a certain level of competitive anxiety may increase performance, many athletes with anxiety experience uncontrolled negative feelings and cognition that in turn can have overwhelming effects on their performance. Methods We aimed to assess the effect of acupuncture on competitive anxiety of the adolescent football players prior to the competition using psychological and physiological markers. A total of 30 athletes were randomly and equally allocated to either acupuncture or sham control group. Results The results of t-test on posttest scores showed that acupuncture had a significant effect on cognitive anxiety (p=0.001) and somatic anxiety (p<0.001) but not self-confidence (p>0.05). Furthermore, the results showed that acupuncture significantly decreased the skin conductance in acupuncture group compared to sham group (p=0.006) (p<0.001). Conclusions In conclusion, the results suggested that acupuncture has the capacity to decrease cognitive and somatic anxiety prior to competition in adolescent athletes while this was accompanied by significant physiological changes.
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Changes in the Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Immunity in Chronic Psychological Stress Rats and Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture at the Zusanli Point (ST36). EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:1935372. [PMID: 27594888 PMCID: PMC4987473 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1935372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Now, chronic psychological stress (CPS) related diseases are increasing. Many CPS patients have gastrointestinal complaints, immune suppression, and immune imbalance. Increasing evidence is indicating that acupuncture (AP) at the Zusanli point (ST36) can alleviate functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), immune suppression, and immune imbalance. However, few studies have investigated the potential mechanisms. In this study, CPS rat models were established, and electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 was done for CPS rats. Daily food intake, weight, intestinal sensitivity, the morphology of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC) in the small intestine, and serum indexes were measured. The study found that, in CPS rats, EA at ST36 could improve food intake, weight, visceral hypersensitivity, and immunity; in CPS rats, in small intestine, the morphology of ICCs was abnormal and the number was decreased, which may be part causes of gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. EA at ST36 showed useful therapeutic effects. The mechanisms may be partially related to its repairing effects on ICCs damages; in CPS rats, there were immune suppression and immune imbalance, which may be part causes of visceral hypersensitivity. EA at ST36 showed useful therapeutic effects. The mechanisms may be partially related to its regulation on immunity.
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Hypothalamic Norepinephrine Mediates Acupunctural Effects on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis During Ethanol Withdrawal. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2015; 9:4-10. [PMID: 26896070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous study demonstrated that acupuncture at ST36 (Zu-San-Li) attenuates ethanol withdrawal (EW)-induced hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rats. The current study investigated the involvement of hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) in that process. Rats were intraperitoneally treated with 3 g/kg/d of ethanol or saline for 28 days. After 24 hours of EW, acupuncture was applied to rats at bilateral ST36 points or at nonacupoints (tail) for 1 minute. A high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that EW significantly increased both the NE and the 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Western blot analysis also revealed that EW markedly elevated the phosphorylation rates of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), but spared TH protein expression in the PVN. However, acupuncture at ST36, but not at nonacupoints, greatly inhibited the increase in the hypothalamic NE, MHPG, and phosphorylation rates of TH. Additionally, postacupuncture infusion of NE into the PVN significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of acupuncture at ST36 on the oversecretion of plasma corticosterone during EW. These results suggest that acupuncture at ST36 inhibits EW-induced hyperactivation of the hypothalamic NEergic system to produce therapeutic effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
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