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Ye Q, Li J, Ren WJ, Zhang Y, Wang T, Rubini P, Yin HY, Illes P, Tang Y. Astrocyte activation in hindlimb somatosensory cortex contributes to electroacupuncture analgesia in acid-induced pain. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1348038. [PMID: 38633538 PMCID: PMC11021577 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1348038] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies have confirmed the direct relationship between extracellular acidification and the occurrence of pain. As an effective pain management approach, the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment of acidification-induced pain is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of EA in this type of pain and to explore the underlying mechanism(s). Methods We used plantar injection of the acidified phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 6.0) to trigger thermal hyperalgesia in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 6-8 weeks. The value of thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) was quantified after applying EA stimulation to the ST36 acupoint and/or chemogenetic control of astrocytes in the hindlimb somatosensory cortex. Results Both EA and chemogenetic astrocyte activation suppressed the acid-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat paw, whereas inhibition of astrocyte activation did not influence the hyperalgesia. At the same time, EA-induced analgesia was blocked by chemogenetic inhibition of astrocytes. Conclusion The present results suggest that EA-activated astrocytes in the hindlimb somatosensory cortex exert an analgesic effect on acid-induced pain, although these astrocytes might only moderately regulate acid-induced pain in the absence of EA. Our results imply a novel mode of action of astrocytes involved in EA analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ye
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen-Jing Ren
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Patrizia Rubini
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hai-Yan Yin
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rudolf Boehm Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Wang J, Deng X, Jiang J, Yao Z, Ju Y, Luo Y. Evaluation of electroacupuncture as a non-pharmacological therapy for astrocytic structural aberrations and behavioral deficits in a post-ischemic depression model in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1239024. [PMID: 37700911 PMCID: PMC10493307 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1239024] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ascending clinical evidence supports that electroacupuncture (EA) is effective in treating post-ischemic depression (PID), but little is known about how it works at the cellular level. Astrocytes are exquisitely sensitive to their extracellular environment, and under stressful conditions, they may experience aberrant structural remodeling that can potentially cause neuroplastic disturbances and contribute to subsequent changes in mood or behavior. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of EA on behavioral deficits associated with PID in mice and verify the hypothesis that astrocytic morphology may be involved in this impact. Methods We established a PID animal model induced by transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO, 20 min) and chronic restraint stress (CRS, 21 days). EA treatment (GV20 + ST36) was performed for 3 weeks, from Monday to Friday each week. Depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors and sociability were evaluated using SPT, FST, EPM, and SIT. Immunohistochemistry combined with Sholl and cell morphological analysis was utilized to assess the process morphology of GFAP+ astrocytes in mood-related regions. The potential relationship between morphological changes in astrocytes and behavioral output was detected by correlation analysis. Results Behavioral assays demonstrated that EA treatment induced an overall reduction in behavioral deficits, as measured by the behavioral Z-score. Sholl and morphological analyses revealed that EA prevented the decline in cell complexity of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the CA1 region of the hippocampus, where astrocytes displayed evident deramification and atrophy of the branches. Eventually, the correlation analysis showed there was a relationship between behavioral emotionality and morphological changes. Conclusion Our findings imply that EA prevents both behavioral deficits and structural abnormalities in astrocytes in the PID model. The strong correlation between behavioral Z-scores and the observed morphological changes confirms the notion that the weakening of astrocytic processes may play a crucial role in depressive symptoms, and astrocytes could be a potential target of EA in the treatment of PID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengyu Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaxin Ju
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Lin SS, Zhou B, Chen BJ, Jiang RT, Li B, Illes P, Semyanov A, Tang Y, Verkhratsky A. Electroacupuncture prevents astrocyte atrophy to alleviate depression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:343. [PMID: 37248211 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Astrocyte atrophy is the main histopathological hallmark of major depressive disorder (MDD) in humans and in animal models of depression. Here we show that electroacupuncture prevents astrocyte atrophy in the prefrontal cortex and alleviates depressive-like behaviour in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Treatment of mice with CUMS induced depressive-like phenotypes as confirmed by sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test. These behavioural changes were paralleled with morphological atrophy of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex, revealed by analysis of 3D reconstructions of confocal Z-stack images of mCherry expressing astrocytes. This morphological atrophy was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of cytoskeletal linker Ezrin, associated with formation of astrocytic leaflets, which form astroglial synaptic cradle. Electroacupuncture at the acupoint ST36, as well as treatment with anti-depressant fluoxetine, prevented depressive-like behaviours, astrocytic atrophy, and down-regulation of astrocytic ezrin. In conclusion, our data further strengthen the notion of a primary role of astrocytic atrophy in depression and reveal astrocytes as cellular target for electroacupuncture in treatment of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Si Lin
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling of Sichuan Province /Research Centre on TCM-Rehabilitation and Neural Circuit, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bin Zhou
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin-Jie Chen
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruo-Tian Jiang
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Baoman Li
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling of Sichuan Province /Research Centre on TCM-Rehabilitation and Neural Circuit, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexey Semyanov
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling of Sichuan Province /Research Centre on TCM-Rehabilitation and Neural Circuit, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- International Joint Research Centre on Purinergic Signalling of Sichuan Province /Research Centre on TCM-Rehabilitation and Neural Circuit, School of Acupuncture and Tuina/Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Forensic Analytical Toxicology, School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Achucarro Centre for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
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He JR, Rubini P, Li BM, Yin HY, Tang Y, Illes P. Beneficial effect of electroacupuncture on the distribution of foreign substances in the brain of rats developing depression-like behavior. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
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Yin HY, Fan YP, Liu J, Li DT, Guo J, Yu SG. Purinergic ATP triggers moxibustion-induced local anti-nociceptive effect on inflammatory pain model. Purinergic Signal 2023; 19:5-12. [PMID: 34378078 PMCID: PMC9984580 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-021-09815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purinergic signalling adenosine and its A1 receptors have been demonstrated to get involved in the mechanism of acupuncture (needling therapy) analgesia. However, whether purinergic signalling would be responsible for the local analgesic effect of moxibustion therapy, the predominant member in acupuncture family procedures also could trigger analgesic effect on pain diseases, it still remains unclear. In this study, we applied moxibustion to generate analgesic effect on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain rats and detected the purine released from moxibustioned-acupoint by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) approach. Intramuscular injection of ARL67156 into the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) to inhibit the breakdown of ATP showed the analgesic effect of moxibustion was increased while intramuscular injection of ATPase to speed up ATP hydrolysis caused a reduced moxibustion-induced analgesia. These data implied that purinergic ATP at the location of ST36 acupoint is a potentially beneficial factor for moxibustion-induced analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yan Yin
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China. .,Acupuncture & Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610075, China.
| | - Ya-Peng Fan
- Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province, Luoyang, 471000, China
| | - Juan Liu
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Dao-Tong Li
- Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital of Henan Province, Luoyang, 471000, China
| | - Jing Guo
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
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6
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Cui Y, Zhou X, Li Q, Wang D, Zhu J, Zeng X, Han Q, Yang R, Xu S, Zhang D, Meng X, Zhang S, Sun Z, Yin H. Efficacy of different acupuncture therapies on postherpetic neuralgia: A Bayesian network meta-analysis. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1056102. [PMID: 36704010 PMCID: PMC9871906 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1056102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common, complex, and refractory type of neuropathic pain. Several systematic reviews support the efficacy of acupuncture and related treatments for PHN. Nevertheless, the efficacy of various acupuncture-related treatments for PHN remains debatable. Objective We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related treatments for PHN, identify the most effective acupuncture-related treatments, and expound on the current inadequacies and prospects in the applications of acupuncture-related therapies. Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical, Chongqing VIP, and Wan Fang databases), clinical research registration platform (World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registration platform, China Clinical Trial Registration Center) for relevant studies. We also examined previous meta-analyses; gray literature; and reference lists of the selected studies. We then evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies and performed a Bayesian multiple network meta-analysis. Results We included 29 randomized controlled trials comprising 1,973 patients, of which five studies showed a high risk of bias. The pairwise meta-analysis results revealed that the efficacy of all acupuncture-related treatments for pain relief related to PHN was significantly better than antiepileptics. The network meta-analysis results showed that pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics were the most effective treatment, followed by electroacupuncture (EA) plus antiepileptics for pain relief in patients with PHN. EA plus antiepileptics ranked the best regarding reduced Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores in patients with PHN. No results were found regarding the total response rate or quality of life in this study. Acupuncture-related treatments showed a lower incidence of adverse events than that of antiepileptics. Conclusion Acupuncture-related therapies are potential treatment options for PHN and are safe. Pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics, are the most effective acupuncture-related techniques for pain relief, while EA plus antiepileptics is the best acupuncture-related technique for improving PHN-related insomnia and depression symptoms. However, owing to the limitations of this study, these conclusions should be cautiously interpreted, and future high-quality studies are needed. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021226422, identifier CRD42021226422.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cui
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Quan Li
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Delong Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Jiamin Zhu
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangxin Zeng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Qichen Han
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Rui Yang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Siyu Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Dongxu Zhang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangyue Meng
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Zhongren Sun
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China,Zhongren Sun,
| | - Hongna Yin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China,*Correspondence: Hongna Yin,
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7
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High, in Contrast to Low Levels of Acute Stress Induce Depressive-like Behavior by Involving Astrocytic, in Addition to Microglial P2X7 Receptors in the Rodent Hippocampus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031904. [PMID: 35163829 PMCID: PMC8836505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in the brain is suggested to be an etiological factor of major depressive disorder (MDD). It has been assumed that stress-released ATP stimulates P2X7 receptors (Rs) at the microglia, thereby causing neuroinflammation; however, other central nervous system (CNS) cell types such as astrocytes also possess P2X7Rs. In order to elucidate the possible involvement of the MDD-relevant hippocampal astrocytes in the development of a depressive-like state, we used various behavioral tests (tail suspension test [TST], forced swim test [FST], restraint stress, inescapable foot shock, unpredictable chronic mild stress [UCMS]), as well as fluorescence immunohistochemistry, and patch-clamp electrophysiology in wild-type (WT) and genetically manipulated rodents. The TST and FST resulted in learned helplessness manifested as a prolongation of the immobility time, while inescapable foot shock caused lower sucrose consumption as a sign of anhedonia. We confirmed the participation of P2X7Rs in the development of the depressive-like behaviors in all forms of acute (TST, FST, foot shock) and chronic stress (UCMS) in the rodent models used. Further, pharmacological agonists and antagonists acted in a different manner in rats and mice due to their diverse potencies at the respective receptor orthologs. In hippocampal slices of mice and rats, only foot shock increased the current responses to locally applied dibenzoyl-ATP (Bz-ATP) in CA1 astrocytes; in contrast, TST and restraint depressed these responses. Following stressful stimuli, immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increased co-localization of P2X7Rs with a microglial marker, but no change in co-localization with an astroglial marker. Pharmacological damage to the microglia and astroglia has proven the significance of the microglia for mediating all types of depression-like behavioral reactions, while the astroglia participated only in reactions induced by strong stressors, such as foot shock. Because, in addition to acute stressors, their chronic counterparts induce a depressive-like state in rodents via P2X7R activation, we suggest that our data may have relevance for the etiology of MDD in humans.
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8
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Lu X, Zhou M, Liu N, Zhang C, Zhao Z, Cai D. Synaptic Protein Phosphorylation Networks Are Associated With Electroacupuncture-Induced Circadian Control in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. Front Genet 2021; 12:762557. [PMID: 34976011 PMCID: PMC8717940 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.762557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation is one of the most important posttranslational modifications and regulates the physiological process. While recent studies highlight a major role of phosphorylation in the regulation of sleep–wake cycles to a lesser extent, the phosphoproteome in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is not well-understood. Herein, we reported that the EA treatment elicits partial reparation of circadian rhythmicity when mice were exposure to constant darkness for long time. We investigated the effects of EA on circadian rhythms in constant darkness between EA stimulation and free-running control. Next, mass spectrometry–based phosphoproteome was utilized to explore the molecular characteristics of EA-induced phosphorylation modification in the SCN. A total of 6,192 distinct phosphosites on 2,488 proteins were quantified. Functional annotation analysis and protein–protein interaction networks demonstrated the most significant enriched phosphor-proteins and phosphosites involved in postsynapse and glutamatergic synapse. The current data indicated that most of the altered molecules are structural proteins. The target proteins, NMDAR and CAMK2, were selected for verification, consistent with the results of LC–MS/MS. These findings revealed a complete profile of phosphorylation modification in response to EA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dingjun Cai
- *Correspondence: Zhengyu Zhao, ; Dingjun Cai,
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9
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Li J, Zhang Y, Illes P, Tang Y, Rubini P. Increasing Efficiency of Repetitive Electroacupuncture on Purine- and Acid-Induced Pain During a Three-Week Treatment Schedule. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:680198. [PMID: 34040538 PMCID: PMC8141797 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.680198] [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: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture (AP) is an important constituent of the therapeutic repertoire of traditional Chinese medicine and has been widely used to alleviate chronic painful conditions all over the world. We studied in rats the efficiency of electroacupuncture (EAP) applied to the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) as an analgesic treatment over a 3-week period of time on purine (α,β-methylene ATP, dibenzoyl-ATP)- and acid (pH 6.0 medium)-induced pain in the rat paw. The two ATP derivatives stimulated P2X3 and P2X7 receptors, respectively, while the slightly acidic medium stimulated the “acid-sensitive ion channel 3” (ASIC3). It was found that the P2X7 receptor and ASIC-mediated pain was counteracted by EAP with greater efficiency at the end than at the beginning of the treatment schedule, while the P2X3 receptor–mediated pain was not. Our findings have important clinical and theoretical consequences, among others, because they are difficult to reconcile with the assumption that AP is primarily due to the release of peripheral and central opioid peptides causing the well-known tolerance to their effects. In consequence, AP is a convenient therapeutic instrument to treat subacute and chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peter Illes
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China.,International Collaborative Center on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yong Tang
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China.,International Collaborative Center on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Patrizia Rubini
- School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China.,International Collaborative Center on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Chengdu, China
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10
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Purinergic Signaling in Endometriosis-Associated Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228512. [PMID: 33198179 PMCID: PMC7697899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent gynecological disease, with an associated chronic inflammatory component, characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Its predominant symptom is pain, a condition notably altering the quality of life of women with the disease. This review is intended to exhaustively gather current knowledge on purinergic signaling in endometriosis-associated pain. Altered extracellular ATP hydrolysis, due to changes in ectonucleotidase activity, has been reported in endometriosis; the resulting accumulation of ATP in the endometriotic microenvironment points to sustained activation of nucleotide receptors (P2 receptors) capable of generating a persistent pain message. P2X3 receptor, expressed in sensory neurons, mediates nociceptive, neuropathic, and inflammatory pain, and is enrolled in endometriosis-related pain. Pharmacological inhibition of P2X3 receptor is under evaluation as a pain relief treatment for women with endometriosis. The role of other ATP receptors is also discussed here, e.g., P2X4 and P2X7 receptors, which are involved in inflammatory cell–nerve and microglia–nerve crosstalk, and therefore in inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Adenosine receptors (P1 receptors), by contrast, mainly play antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory roles. Purinome-targeted drugs, including nucleotide receptors and metabolizing enzymes, are potential non-hormonal therapeutic tools for the pharmacological management of endometriosis-related pain.
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11
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He JR, Yu SG, Tang Y, Illes P. Purinergic signaling as a basis of acupuncture-induced analgesia. Purinergic Signal 2020; 16:297-304. [PMID: 32577957 PMCID: PMC7524941 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-020-09708-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes experimental evidence indicating that purinergic mechanisms are causally involved in acupuncture (AP)-induced analgesia. Electroacupuncture (EAP) and manual AP release at pain-relevant acupoints ATP which may activate purinergic P2X receptors (Rs) especially of the P2X3 type situated at local sensory nerve endings (peripheral terminals of dorsal root ganglion [DRG] neurons); the central processes of these neurons are thought to inhibit via collaterals of ascending dorsal horn spinal cord neurons, pain-relevant pathways projecting to higher centers of the brain. In addition, during AP/EAP non-neuronal P2X4 and/or P2X7Rs localized at microglial cells of the CNS become activated at the spinal or supraspinal levels. In consequence, these microglia secrete bioactive compounds such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species, which modulate the ascending neuronal pathways conducting painful stimuli. Alternatively, ATP released at acupoints by AP/EAP may be enzymatically degraded to adenosine, stimulating in loco presynaptic A1Rs exerting an inhibitory influence on the primary afferent fibers (the above mentioned pain-sensing peripheral terminals of DRG neurons) which thereby fail to conduct action potentials to the spinal cord dorsal horn. The net effect of the stimulation of P2X3, P2X4, P2X7, and A1Rs by the AP/EAP-induced release of ATP/adenosine at certain acupoints will be analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Rong He
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purine Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purine Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.,Acupuncture & Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Yong Tang
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purine Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.,Acupuncture & Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purine Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China. .,Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04107, Leipzig, Germany.
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Zhang Y, Huang L, Kozlov SA, Rubini P, Tang Y, Illes P. Acupuncture alleviates acid- and purine-induced pain in rodents. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 177:77-92. [PMID: 31444978 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Lumei Huang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Sergey A Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Patrizia Rubini
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Tang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Peter Illes
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China.,Rudolf-Boehm-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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