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You J, Huang H, Chan CTY, Li L. Pathological Targets for Treating Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Discoveries From Microscale to Macroscale. Front Neurol 2022; 12:779558. [PMID: 35069411 PMCID: PMC8777077 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.779558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common and severe types of epilepsy, characterized by intractable, recurrent, and pharmacoresistant seizures. Histopathology of TLE is mostly investigated through observing hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in adults, which provides a robust means to analyze the related histopathological lesions. However, most pathological processes underlying the formation of these lesions remain elusive, as they are difficult to detect and observe. In recent years, significant efforts have been put in elucidating the pathophysiological pathways contributing to TLE epileptogenesis. In this review, we aimed to address the new and unrecognized neuropathological discoveries within the last 5 years, focusing on gene expression (miRNA and DNA methylation), neuronal peptides (neuropeptide Y), cellular metabolism (mitochondria and ion transport), cellular structure (microtubule and extracellular matrix), and tissue-level abnormalities (enlarged amygdala). Herein, we describe a range of biochemical mechanisms and their implication for epileptogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss their potential role as a target for TLE prevention and treatment. This review article summarizes the latest neuropathological discoveries at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels involving both animal and patient studies, aiming to explore epileptogenesis and highlight new potential targets in the diagnosis and treatment of TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Haiyan Huang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas Women University, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Clement T Y Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Wei TH, Hsieh CL. Effect of Acupuncture on the p38 Signaling Pathway in Several Nervous System Diseases: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4693. [PMID: 32630156 PMCID: PMC7370084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is clinically used to treat various diseases and exerts positive local and systemic effects in several nervous system diseases. Advanced molecular and clinical studies have continually attempted to decipher the mechanisms underlying these effects of acupuncture. While a growing understanding of the pathophysiology underlying several nervous system diseases shows it to be related to inflammation and impair cell regeneration after ischemic events, the relationship between the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture and the p38 MAPK signal pathway has yet to be elucidated. This review discusses the latest advancements in the identification of the effect of acupuncture on the p38 signaling pathway in several nervous system diseases. We electronically searched databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to April 2020, using the following keywords alone or in various combinations: "acupuncture", "p38 MAPK pathway", "signaling", "stress response", "inflammation", "immune", "pain", "analgesic", "cerebral ischemic injury", "epilepsy", "Alzheimer's disease", "Parkinson's disease", "dementia", "degenerative", and "homeostasis". Manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture confer positive therapeutic effects by regulating proinflammatory cytokines, ion channels, scaffold proteins, and transcription factors including TRPV1/4, Nav, BDNF, and NADMR1; consequently, p38 regulates various phenomena including cell communication, remodeling, regeneration, and gene expression. In this review article, we found the most common acupoints for the relief of nervous system disorders including GV20, GV14, ST36, ST37, and LI4. Acupuncture exhibits dual regulatory functions of activating or inhibiting different p38 MAPK pathways, contributing to an overall improvement of clinical symptoms and function in several nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Hsuan Wei
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan;
| | - Ching-Liang Hsieh
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan;
- Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
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Muchtar NJ, Helianthi DR, Nareswari I. Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Management in a Hospitalized Geriatric Patient with Constipation. Med Acupunct 2020; 32:116-120. [PMID: 32351665 DOI: 10.1089/acu.2019.1401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Constipation is a gastrointestinal problem commonly found in clinical practice. The prevalence increases with age. Chronic constipation is associated with a decrease in patients' quality of life (QoL). Existing treatments cause side-effects and the positives effects are only short-term. Recently, acupuncture has been widely used to treat geriatric problems, and one of the problems being addressed is constipation. Case: An 85-year-old female, with hip fractures, had episodes of being unable to defecate and had stomach pain that was persistent due to this constipation. She was admitted to the hospital for her fractures, where manual acupuncture was used to treat her constipation. Results: The therapy was effective for relieving the patient's stomach pain and constipation, and increased the patient's appetite as well as improving her QoL. Conclusions: Stomach pain in geriatric patients with constipation can lead to difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite, and persistent pain in the stomach. Constipation can be assessed by using posterior anterior and oblique views of the abdominal radiographic projection. Numerous modalities, including pharmacologic therapy (sodium lauryl sulfoacetate enema and lactulose syrup), have been used to treat constipation-related pain. Recently, acupuncture has also been used to treat stomach pain in geriatric patients with constipation. Acupuncture was effective for relieving the current patient's pain and constipation and also improved her QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Newanda Johni Muchtar
- Department of Medical Acupuncture, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Daerah Istimewa Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Rachma Helianthi
- Department of Medical Acupuncture, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Daerah Istimewa Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Irma Nareswari
- Department of Medical Acupuncture, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Daerah Istimewa Jakarta, Indonesia
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Chen SH, Chen HC, Hsieh CL, Chao PM. Electric stimulation of ears accelerates body weight loss mediated by high-fat to low-fat diet switch accompanied by increased white adipose tissue browning in C57BL/6 J mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 18:323. [PMID: 30518367 PMCID: PMC6282328 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2388-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Weight reduction frequently occurs in patients receiving vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy. Therefore, we hypothesized that during dietary intervention for weight loss, auricular electric stimulation (AES), an alternative of VNS, accelerates weight loss by increasing white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and increases energy expenditure. Methods C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet for 5 wk. to induce obesity, then switched to a low-fat diet for 5 wk. and allocated into 3 groups to receive 2 Hz electric stimulation on ears, electrode clamps only, or nothing (AES, Sham and Ctrl, respectively). Results Switching to a low-fat diet reduced body weight progressively in all 3 groups, with the greatest reduction in the AES group. In accordance with a mild decrease in feed intake, hypothalamus mRNA levels of Npy, AgRP tended to be reduced, while Pomc tended to be increased by AES. Mice in the AES group had the highest concentrations of norepinephrine in serum and inguinal WAT, and expression levels of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and tyrosine hydroxylase in inguinal WAT. Furthermore, their subcutaneous adipocytes had multilocular and UCP-1+ characteristics, along with a smaller cell size. Conclusion AES, by increasing WAT browning, could be used in conjunction with a low-fat diet to augment weight loss in addition to suppressing appetite.
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Liao ET, Tang NY, Lin YW, Liang Hsieh C. Long-term electrical stimulation at ear and electro-acupuncture at ST36-ST37 attenuated COX-2 in the CA1 of hippocampus in kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure rats. Sci Rep 2017; 7:472. [PMID: 28352122 PMCID: PMC5428861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizures produce brain inflammation, which in turn enhances neuronal excitability. Therefore, anti-inflammation has become a therapeutic strategy for antiepileptic treatment. Cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a critical role in postseizure brain inflammation and neuronal hyperexcitability. Our previous studies have shown that both electrical stimulation (ES) at the ear and electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli and Shangjuxu acupoints (ST36–ST37) for 6 weeks can reduce mossy fiber sprouting, spike population, and high-frequency hippocampal oscillations in kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic seizure rats. This study further investigated the effect of long-term ear ES and EA at ST36–ST37 on the inflammatory response in KA-induced epileptic seizure rats. Both the COX-2 levels in the hippocampus and the number of COX-2 immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were increased after KA-induced epileptic seizures, and these were reduced through the 6-week application of ear ES or EA at ST36–ST37. Thus, long-term ear ES or long-term EA at ST36–ST37 have an anti-inflammatory effect, suggesting that they are beneficial for the treatment of epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- En-Tzu Liao
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Nou-Ying Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Lin
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.,Research Center for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Ching Liang Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan. .,Research Center for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan. .,Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40447, Taiwan.
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Electric stimulation of the ears ameliorated learning and memory impairment in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20381. [PMID: 26847826 PMCID: PMC4742903 DOI: 10.1038/srep20381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ear acupuncture enhances the secretion of acetylcholine, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Here we want to investigate the effect of electric stimulation (ES) of the ears on learning and memory impairment in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. At 24 h after reperfusion, 2-Hz ES was applied to the ears for 20 min/day (10 min for each ear) for 7 days continuously. The step-through time of the passive avoidance test was greater in the ES group than in the control group (300.0 ± 0.0 s vs 45.0 ± 26.7 s, p < 0.05). Our results showed that neither neurological deficit score nor motor functions were improved after 2-Hz ES (4.0 ± 0 vs 4.5 ± 0.8, p > 0.05). The numbers of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4 positively stained cells in the CA2 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were 19.0 ± 11.5 and 269.2 ± 79.3, respectively, in the ES group, which were greater than those in the control group (7.0 ± 5.9 and 165.5 ± 30.8, respectively) (both p < 0.05). These results suggested that 2-Hz ES of the ears ameliorated learning and memory impairment in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury. ES of the ears has neuroprotective effects, which are related to acetylcholine release.
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Hou PW, Hsu HC, Lin YW, Tang NY, Cheng CY, Hsieh CL. The History, Mechanism, and Clinical Application of Auricular Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2015; 2015:495684. [PMID: 26823672 PMCID: PMC4707384 DOI: 10.1155/2015/495684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Auricular therapy includes acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupressure, lasering, cauterization, moxibustion, and bloodletting in the auricle. For 2500 years, people have employed auricular therapy for treating diseases, but the methods have been limited to bloodletting and cauterization. Only after 1957, the international scientific community became aware that the map of the ear resembles an inverted fetus, its introduction has led to auricular acupuncture (AA) becoming a more systemic approach, and, following the identification and standardization of more precise points, AA has been employed in clinical applications. The mechanisms of AA are considered to have a close relationship with the autonomic nervous system, the neuroendocrine system, neuroimmunological factors, neuroinflammation, and neural reflex, as well as antioxidation. Auricular therapy has been applied, for example, for pain relief, for the treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, and obesity, and for improving sleep quality. However, the mechanisms and evidence for auricular therapy warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu-Wei Hou
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Cheng Hsu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Nou-Ying Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Yi Cheng
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Liang Hsieh
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
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