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Zhou X, Zhou J, Zhang F, Shu Q, Wu Y, Chang HM, Zhang B, Cai RL, Yu Q. Key targets of signal transduction neural mechanisms in acupuncture treatment of cardiovascular diseases: Hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38197. [PMID: 39386880 PMCID: PMC11462008 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38197] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. As a traditional Chinese treatment method, acupuncture has a unique role in restoring the balance of the human body environment. Due to its safety, non-invasive nature, and effectiveness in treating cardiovascular diseases, acupuncture has been widely welcomed and recognized among the world. A large amount of evidence shows that acupuncture can effectively regulate cardiovascular diseases through the autonomic nervous system. The hypothalamus, as an important component of regulating the autonomic nervous system, plays an important role in regulating the internal environment, maintaining homeostasis, and preserving physiological balance. However, there is currently a scarcity of review articles on acupuncture signal transduction and acupuncture improving cardiovascular disease through the hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system. Objective This review delves into the transduction of acupuncture signals and their neural regulatory mechanisms on the hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system, elucidating their impact on cardiovascular disease. Methods Review the basic and clinical studies on acupuncture signal transduction mechanisms and the role of the hypothalamus and ANS in acupuncture treatment of cardiovascular diseases published in four English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Springer Cochrane Library) and two Chinese databases (Wanfang Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database) over the past 20 years. Results Through sensory stimulation, acupuncture effectively transmits signals from the periphery to the hypothalamus, where they are integrated, and finally regulate the autonomic nervous system to treat cardiovascular diseases. Discussion Acupuncture exhibits significant potential as a therapeutic modality for cardiovascular diseases by orchestrating autonomic nervous system regulation via the hypothalamus, thereby gifting novel perspectives and methodologies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular ailments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
- Anhui Wannan Rehabilitation Hospital (The Fifth People's Hospital of Wuhu), Wuhu, 241000, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qi Shu
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan Wu
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hui-min Chang
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
| | - Rong-lin Cai
- Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian Research, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Meridian Viscera Correlationship, Hefei, 230038, China
- Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Qing Yu
- College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian Research, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, Anhui Province, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Meridian Viscera Correlationship, Hefei, 230038, China
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Jin Z, Shen Z, Yan S, Chen G, Yin Y, Zhang Y, Wu X. Electroacupuncture ameliorates gastrointestinal dysfunction by modulating DMV cholinergic efferent signals to drive the vagus nerve in p-MCAO rats. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29426. [PMID: 38638995 PMCID: PMC11024612 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29426] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The use of proton pump inhibitors in the acute phase of cerebral infarction may lead to adverse long-term outcomes, this study aims to explore the potential of electroacupuncture (EA) in replacing omeprazole in exerting post-stroke gastrointestinal protection. Methods A permanent middle cerebral artery infarction model was established using the modified Longa thread occlusion technique. Gastrointestinal motility, gastrointestinal mucosal damage, cerebral infarct volume, and alterations in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive neurons within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV) were assessed after 7 days of EA at Zusanli (ST36) or omeprazole intervention. To evaluate the role of the vagal nerve in mitigating post-stroke gastrointestinal dysfunction, we employed subdiaphragmatic vagotomy and the ChAT-specific inhibitor α-NETA. Additionally, we utilized methyllycaconitine (MLA), a selective inhibitor of the α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), and PNU282987, an agonist, to identify the target of EA. Results EA restored ChAT neurons lost in the DMV, activated the vagus nerve and conferred cerebroprotection while ameliorating gastrointestinal mucosal injury and gastrointestinal motility disorders. In addition, following the administration of the α7nAChR antagonist, the attenuation of gastric mucosal injury and inflammatory factors induced by EA was hindered, although gastrointestinal motility still exhibited improvement. Conclusion EA at ST36 promotes the restoration of cholinergic signaling in the DMV of stroke-afflicted rats, and its excitation of the vagal nerve inhibits gastrointestinal inflammation after stroke via α7nAChR, while improvement in gastrointestinal motility could be mediated by other acetylcholine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Jin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Zihong Shen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Siyang Yan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Guolei Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Yalong Yin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - You Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Xingui Wu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
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Xiong L, Tian Y, Xu X, Wang H, Li W, Zhai C. Immunopotentiating effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion on the spleens of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rats. Chin Med 2024; 19:28. [PMID: 38369521 PMCID: PMC10875891 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00898-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the effec of the herb-partitioned moxibustion on T-lymphocyte activity in immunosuppressed rats through differential modulation of the immune checkpoint molecules CD28 and CTLA-4. METHODS Forty-eight Sprague‒Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal group (NG), the cyclophosphamide model group (CTX), the herb-partitioned moxibustion group (HPM), the CD28 inhibitor + herb-partitioned moxibustion group (aCD28 + HPM), the CTLA-4 inhibitor + herb-partitioned moxibustion group (aCTLA-4 + HPM), and the levamisole group (LEV) (8 rats per group). The immunosuppression model was prepared using cyclophosphamide. HPM treatments was performed via herb-partitioned moxibustion at 4 acupoints, Zhongwan (CV12), Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), and Zusanli (ST36). Subsequently, the moxa floss was made into a conical moxa cone, which was then placed on the herbal cake and ignited. Five consecutive moxibustion strokes were performed daily for 10 consecutive days. In addition to the same moxibustion, each rat in the aCD28 + HPM group was injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg of CD28 inhibitor per rat on the first day of treatment, and 100 μL of CTLA-4 inhibitor was injected into the aCTLA-4 + HPM group on Days 1, 4, and 7. For the positive control, levamisole (LEV) was administered by gavage at a dose of 2 mg/kg once daily for 10 days. RESULTS Compared with those in CTX model rats, the WBC counts in the HPM and other groups were significantly higher. The immobility time of EPM in the HPM group was significantly lower than that of the CTX group. The HE stainin results also showed that after treatment, the the marginal zone area of the spleen tissue in the HPM increased, the number of lymphatic sheath lymphocytes around the small central artery of the spleen increased, and the amount of red pulp containing a small amount of pigmentation was partially reduced. Compared with those in the CTX group, the serum levels of CD28, CTLA-4, B7-1, and B7-2 were significantly lower, and the levels of α-MSH, TrkB, and BDNF were significantly greater in the HPM group. The results of the flow cytometry assay showed a significant increase in the number of CD8 + T lymphocytes after treatment with HPM or other agents compared to that in the CTX group. The immunofluorescence results showed that the levels of CD28 and CTLA-4 lower in spleen tissues than in control tissues, and the binding ability of CD28 to B7-1 and B7-2 was weakened after treatment with HPM and other treatments compared with CTX rats, PCR for CD28, CTLA-4 and B7-1 showed similar results. CONCLUSION In the immunosuppressive rat model induced by cyclophosphamide, HPM upregulated the expression of α-MSH, TrkB, and BDNF, and downregulated the expression of CD28 and CTLA-4, thereby enhancing the activity of CD8+ T lymphocytes, restoring spleen function, improving the immunosuppressive state, restoring immune function, and effectively alleviating depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luojie Xiong
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuefeng Tian
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoshan Xu
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Huifang Wang
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuntao Zhai
- Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, People's Republic of China
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Wang MN, Zhai MX, Wang YT, Dai QF, Liu L, Zhao LP, Xia QY, Li S, Li B. Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Obesity: Advances and Prospects. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2024; 52:1-33. [PMID: 38351701 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x24500010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is a common metabolic syndrome that causes a significant burden on individuals and society. Conventional therapies include lifestyle interventions, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological therapies, which are not effective and have a high risk of adverse events. Acupuncture is an effective alternative for obesity, it modulates the hypothalamus, sympathetic activity and parasympathetic activity, obesity-related hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin, and CCK), the brain-gut axis, inflammatory status, adipose tissue browning, muscle blood flow, hypoxia, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to influence metabolism, eating behavior, motivation, cognition, and the reward system. However, hypothalamic regulation by acupuncture should be further demonstrated in human studies using novel techniques, such as functional MRI (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), electroencephalogram (EEG), and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Moreover, a longer follow-up phase of clinical trials is required to detect the long-term effects of acupuncture. Also, future studies should investigate the optimal acupuncture therapeutic option for obesity. This review aims to consolidate the recent improvements in the mechanism of acupuncture for obesity as well as discuss the future research prospects and potential of acupuncture for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Na Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Life Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Miao-Xin Zhai
- Yinghai Hospital, Daxing District, Beijing 100163, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Tong Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Life Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Qiu-Fu Dai
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Luo-Peng Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Qiu-Yu Xia
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Emergency, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing 100010, P. R. China
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Wang H, Liu WJ, Wang XY, Chen XQ, Cai RL, Zhang MT, Wang HT, He GW, Zhang Z, Shen GM. A central amygdala input to the dorsal vagal complex controls gastric motility in mice under restraint stress. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1074979. [PMID: 36875016 PMCID: PMC9975572 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1074979] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/aims: Psychological and physiological stress can cause gastrointestinal motility disorders. Acupuncture has a benign regulatory effect on gastrointestinal motility. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear. Methods: Herein, we established a gastric motility disorder (GMD) model in the context of restraint stress (RS) and irregular feeding. The activity of emotional center-central amygdala (CeA) GABAergic neurons and gastrointestinal center-dorsal vagal complex (DVC) neurons were recorded by electrophysiology. Virus tracing and patch clamp analysis of the anatomical and functional connection between the CeAGABA → dorsal vagal complex pathways were performed. Optogenetics inhibiting or activating CeAGABA neurons or the CeAGABA → dorsal vagal complex pathway were used to detect changes in gastric function. Results: We found that restraint stress induced delayed gastric emptying and decreased gastric motility and food intake. Simultaneously, restraint stress activated CeA GABAergic neurons, inhibiting dorsal vagal complex neurons, with electroacupuncture (EA) reversing this phenomenon. In addition, we identified an inhibitory pathway in which CeA GABAergic neurons project into the dorsal vagal complex. Furthermore, the use of optogenetic approaches inhibited CeAGABA neurons and the CeAGABA → dorsal vagal complex pathway in gastric motility disorder mice, which enhanced gastric movement and gastric emptying, whereas activation of the CeAGABA and CeAGABA → dorsal vagal complex pathway mimicked the symptoms of weakened gastric movement and delayed gastric emptying in naïve mice. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the CeAGABA → dorsal vagal complex pathway may be involved in regulating gastric dysmotility under restraint stress conditions, and partially reveals the mechanism of electroacupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Jian Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xi-Yang Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Qi Chen
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rong-Lin Cai
- Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Meng-Ting Zhang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Tao Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guang-Wei He
- Hefei Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guo-Ming Shen
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (School of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Wang XY, Chen XQ, Wang GQ, Cai RL, Wang H, Wang HT, Peng XQ, Zhang MT, Huang S, Shen GM. A neural circuit for gastric motility disorders driven by gastric dilation in mice. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1069198. [PMID: 36908796 PMCID: PMC9992744 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1069198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Symptoms of gastric motility disorders are common clinical manifestations of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), and are triggered and exacerbated by stress, but the neural pathways underpinning them remain unclear. Methods We set-up a mouse model by gastric dilation (GD) in which the gastric dynamics were assessed by installing strain gauges on the surface of the stomach. The neural pathway associated with gastric motility disorders was investigated by behavioral tests, electrophysiology, neural circuit tracing, and optogenetics and chemogenetics involving projections of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) to acetylcholine (ChAT) neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Results We found that GD induced gastric motility disorders were accompanied by activation of PVN CRH neurons, which could be alleviated by strategies that inhibits the activity of PVN CRH neurons. In addition, we identified a neural pathway in which PVN CRH neurons project into DMV ChAT neurons, modulated activity of the PVN CRH →DMV ChAT pathway to alleviate gastric motility disorders induced by GD. Discussion These findings indicate that the PVN CRH →DMV ChAT pathway may mediate at least some aspects of GD related gastric motility, and provide new insights into the mechanisms by which somatic stimulation modulates the physiological functions of internal organs and systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Yang Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Qi Chen
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guo-Quan Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Rong-Lin Cai
- Research Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Tao Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Qi Peng
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Meng-Ting Zhang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shun Huang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Guo-Ming Shen
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Li YW, Li W, Wang ST, Gong YN, Dou BM, Lyu ZX, Ulloa L, Wang SJ, Xu ZF, Guo Y. The autonomic nervous system: A potential link to the efficacy of acupuncture. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1038945. [PMID: 36570846 PMCID: PMC9772996 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1038945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a diffuse network that regulates physiological systems to maintain body homeostasis by integrating inputs from the internal and external environment, including the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems (ENS). Recent evidence suggests that ANS is one of the key neural pathways for acupuncture signal transduction, which has attracted worldwide attention in the acupuncture field. Here, we reviewed the basic and clinical research published in PubMed over the past 20 years on the effects of acupuncture on ANS regulation and homeostasis maintenance. It was found that acupuncture effectively alleviates ANS dysfunction-associated symptoms in its indications, such as migraine, depression, insomnia, functional dyspepsia, functional constipation. Acupuncture stimulation on some specific acupoints activates sensory nerve fibers, the spinal cord, and the brain. Using information integration and efferents from a complex network of autonomic nuclei of the brain, such as the insular cortex (IC), prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala (AMG), hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), ventrolateral medulla (VLM), nucleus ambiguus (AMB), acupuncture alleviates visceral dysfunction, inflammation via efferent autonomic nerves, and relieves pain and pain affect. The modulating pattern of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves is associated with acupuncture stimulation on specific acupoints, intervention parameters, and disease models, and the relationships among them require further exploration. In conclusion, ANS is one of the therapeutic targets for acupuncture and mediates acupuncture's actions, which restores homeostasis. A systemic study is needed to determine the rules and mechanisms underlying the effects of acupoint stimulation on corresponding organs mediated by specific central nervous networks and the efferent ANS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Wei Li
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Li
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Song-Tao Wang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi-Nan Gong
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Bao-Min Dou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhong-Xi Lyu
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Luis Ulloa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Organ Protection, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Shen-Jun Wang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China,Shen-Jun Wang,
| | - Zhi-Fang Xu
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China,Zhi-Fang Xu,
| | - Yi Guo
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China,National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China,*Correspondence: Yi Guo,
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The Influence of Stomach Back-Shu and Front-Mu Points on Insular Functional Connectivity in Functional Dyspepsia Rat Models. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:2771094. [PMID: 34621320 PMCID: PMC8490795 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2771094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Functional Dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease, which can reduce the quality of life in patients. Prior research has indicated that insula is closely related to FD and that acupuncture can regulate the functional connectivity (FC) of FD. Therefore, we hypothesized that acupuncture on FD was effected through the insular pathway. To test our hypothesis, we performed electroacupuncture (EA) on FD rat models and then examined the FC between insula and other brain regions through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Seven-day-old male infant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, FD model group, and FD acupuncture group, with twelve rats per group (n = 36). Upon establishing successful models, the FD acupuncture group was subjected to EA intervention using Stomach back-shu (BL-21) and front-mu (RN-12) points for ten consecutive days for durations of 20 minutes each day. After intervention, each group was subject to rs-fMRI. The digital image data obtained were analyzed using FC analysis methods. Subsequently, gastric ligation was performed to measure gastric emptying rates. Before EA intervention, the FD model group exhibited decreased functional connections between the insula and a number of brain regions. After EA intervention, FD acupuncture group exhibited increasing FC between insula and regions when compared to the FD model group, such as the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), hippocampal CA3 (CA3), polymorphic layer of dentate gyrus (PoDG), caudate putamen (CPu), and oral pontine reticular nuclei (PnO) (P < 0.05); decreasing FC was also exhibited between insula and regions such as the bilateral primary and secondary motor cortexes (M1/2), paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVA), and limbic cortex (LC). These findings indicate that the effective treatment of FD using EA may be through regulating the abnormal FC between insula and several brain regions, in particular CA3, PoDG, and PVA.
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Yeh YC, Chen CC, Cheng CY, Chang HN, Huang TH. The Beneficial Effects of Moxibustion on Overweight Adolescent Girls. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2021; 2021:1943181. [PMID: 34055002 PMCID: PMC8131142 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1943181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Among adolescent girls, overweight or obesity has both physical and psychological involvement. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of moxibustion using a moxa burner. Fifty-four eligible girls aged 15-18 years with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25.3 were enrolled in the study. The girls were randomly allocated to the treatment (n = 27) and control (n = 27) groups. The girls underwent treatment three times per week for 8 weeks (24 treatments). Moxibustion was applied to the RN12, RN6, ST25, ST36, and SP6 acupoints. Physical assessments were BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body fat ratio (BFR). Psychological outcomes were measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). Data were collected at the beginning of the study (baseline), week 4, and week 8. Of the 54 participants, 46 completed the trial. The difference in mean BMI from baseline between the two groups was 0.097 (p=0.655) at week 4 and -0.794 (p=0.001) at week 8. The mean WHR of the treatment group was significantly reduced compared with baseline, with a -0.011 (p=0.017) and -0.035 (p < 0.001) mean change at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. The mean BFR was slightly reduced (-0.253;p=0.474 ) at week 4 compared with baseline in the treatment group. At week 8, it was significantly reduced (-2.068; p < 0.001) from baseline in the treatment group. The mean RSE in the treatment group showed no significant increase from baseline at week 4 (0.155 points, p=0.803), but it improved significantly from baseline at week 8 (1.606 points, p=0.021) compared to that in the control group. No obvious adverse effect was reported during this study. Moxibustion using a moxa burner may be an effective and safe intervention for overweight adolescent girls, having both physical and psychological benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Chieh Yeh
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Program in Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chang Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yi Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine and Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pulmonary Infection and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Ning Chang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan
| | - Tse-Hung Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine and Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
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An Apriori Algorithm-Based Association Rule Analysis to Identify Acupoint Combinations for Treating Diabetic Gastroparesis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6649331. [PMID: 33833818 PMCID: PMC8018850 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6649331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We explored the potential association rules within acupoints in treating diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) using Apriori algorithm complemented with another partition-based algorithm, a frequent pattern growth algorithm. Apriori algorithm is a data mining-based analysis that is widely applied in various fields, such as business and medicine, to mine frequent patterns in datasets. To search for effective acupoint combinations in the treatment of DGP, we implemented Apriori algorithm to investigate the association rules of acupoints among 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The acupoints were extracted from the 17 included RCTs. In total, 29 distinct acupoints were observed in the RCTs. The top 10 frequently selected acupoints were CV12, ST36, PC6, ST25, BL21, BL20, BL23, SP6, BL18, and ST21. The frequency pattern of acupoints achieved by using a frequent pattern growth algorithm also confirms the result. The results showed that the most associated rules were {BL23, BL18} ≥ {SP6}, {BL20, BL18} ≥ {PC6}, {PC6, BL18} ≥ {BL20}, and {SP6, BL18} ≥ {BL23} in the database. Acupoints, including BL23, BL18, SP6, BL20, and PC6, can be deemed as core elements of acupoint combinations for treating DGP.
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11
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Acupuncture at Back-Shu and Front-Mu Acupoints Prevents Gastric Ulcer by Regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF- κB Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:8214052. [PMID: 33628315 PMCID: PMC7886517 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8214052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To assess the preventive effects of acupuncture at back-shu and front-mu acupoints on rats with restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS)-induced gastric ulcer. Methods Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into four groups for 10 days of treatment as follows: the normal group received no treatment; the model group received RWIS-induced gastric ulcer; the omeprazole group was administered omeprazole orally every 2 days; and the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at the RN12 and BL21 acupoints every 2 days. After 10 days of treatment, except for the normal group, all rats were induced with gastric ulcer by RWIS for 3 h. The ulcer index (UI), ulcer inhibition rate, and histopathological score were calculated. We determined the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in serum, and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum and gastric tissues. Protein expression of MyD88, nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65), and toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 was quantified in gastric tissues. Results The electroacupuncture and omeprazole groups were equivalent in terms of UI, ulcer inhibition rate, and histopathological score. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture group compared with the omeprazole group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, there were significant changes in the levels of NO, MPO, GSH-Px, and MDA in all other groups, while the expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in gastric tissue decreased significantly in the electroacupuncture group. The expression of TLR4 was substantially lower in the electroacupuncture group compared with the omeprazole group. Conclusion Acupuncture at back-shu and front-mu acupoints played a role in preventing gastric ulcer by inhibiting extracellular signals, stimulating kinases in serum and gastric tissues, and activating the inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway.
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Zhang X, Chen H, Val-Laillet D. Hypothesis paper: electroacupuncture targeting the gut-brain axis to modulate neurocognitive determinants of eating behavior-toward a proof of concept in the obese minipig model. Eat Weight Disord 2021; 26:61-74. [PMID: 32100220 PMCID: PMC7895779 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-00864-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture has thousands of years of history and perspective for the treatment of many health problems and disorders. Beneficial effects of acupuncture on obesity have been demonstrated at various levels in animals and clinical trials, with almost no adverse effect, even when combined with local electrical stimulation, i.e., electroacupuncture (EA), a way to potentiate the effects of acupuncture. However, there is still scattered evidence about the impact of EA on brain functions related to the control of eating behavior, and notably on the gut-brain axis mechanisms involved in these putative central modulations. During the past 10 years, we have described a convincing diet-induced obese minipig model, and successfully implemented brain imaging and neurocognitive approaches to challenge mechanistic hypotheses and innovative therapeutic strategies. In the present article, we propose to confront the current literature on the acupuncture and EA effects on the gut-brain axis and obesity with the latest developments in nutrition and neuroscience research using the minipig model. Our aims are to (a) elaborate functional hypotheses on the gut-brain mechanisms underlying EA effects on obesity, and especially on the role of the vagus nerve, and (b) present the rational for testing these hypotheses in the minipig model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuwen Zhang
- Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Guanzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - David Val-Laillet
- INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer, NuMeCan, 16 Le Clos, St Gilles, 35590, Rennes, France.
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13
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Wang L, Yu CC, Li J, Tian Q, Du YJ. Mechanism of Action of Acupuncture in Obesity: A Perspective From the Hypothalamus. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:632324. [PMID: 33868169 PMCID: PMC8050351 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.632324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a prevalent metabolic disease caused by an imbalance in food intake and energy expenditure. Although acupuncture is widely used in the treatment of obesity in a clinical setting, its mechanism has not been adequately elucidated. As the key pivot of appetite signals, the hypothalamus receives afferent and efferent signals from the brainstem and peripheral tissue, leading to the formation of a complex appetite regulation circuit, thereby effectively regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. This review mainly discusses the relationship between the hypothalamic nuclei, related neuropeptides, brainstem, peripheral signals, and obesity, as well as mechanisms of acupuncture on obesity from the perspective of the hypothalamus, exploring the current evidence and therapeutic targets for mechanism of action of acupuncture in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- The Fourth Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jia Li
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Tian
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yan-Jun Du,
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Yu Z. Neuromechanism of acupuncture regulating gastrointestinal motility. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:3182-3200. [PMID: 32684734 PMCID: PMC7336328 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i23.3182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years and has become more widely accepted by doctors and patients around the world. A large number of clinical studies and animal experiments have confirmed that acupuncture has a benign adjustment effect on gastrointestinal (GI) movement; however, the mechanism of this effect is unclear, especially in terms of neural mechanisms, and there are still many areas that require further exploration. This article reviews the recent data on the neural mechanism of acupuncture on GI movements. We summarize the neural mechanism of acupuncture on GI movement from four aspects: acupuncture signal transmission, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, the enteric nervous system, and the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
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15
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Acupuncture at Gastric Back-Shu and Front-Mu Acupoints Enhances Gastric Motility via the Inhibition of the Glutamatergic System in the Hippocampus. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:3524641. [PMID: 32215036 PMCID: PMC7085822 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3524641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture strongly alleviates gastrointestinal symptoms and especially promotes gastrointestinal motility. However, the mechanism underlying these processes is poorly understood. This study was designed to examine the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at gastric back-shu (BL21) and front-mu (RN12) acupoints on gastric motility in functional dyspepsia (FD) rats and to investigate the mechanisms of its effects on the glutamatergic system in the hippocampus. We found that EA at RN12 or BL21 enhanced gastric motility in FD rats, whereas EA at the combination of RN12 and BL21 showed an additional effect. Microdialysis combined with HPLC showed that EA reduced the glutamate content in the hippocampus, and the NMDAR-NO-cGMP signalling pathway was downregulated, as determined by Western blot assays, in FD rats. In addition, we found that decreased gastric motility was significantly restored by the hippocampal infusion of an NMDAR, nNOS, or sGC antagonist. Interestingly, EA had no further effects on gastric motility in the presence of these antagonists in FD rats. Taken together, these results suggest that the hippocampal glutamatergic system is involved in the regulation of gastric motility by EA at RN12 and BL21.
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16
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Gong SN, Zhu JP, Ma YJ, Zhao DQ. Proteomics of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:2911-2923. [PMID: 31249449 PMCID: PMC6589736 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i23.2911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress-induced gastric ulcer (SGU) is one of the most common visceral complications after trauma. Restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS) can cause serious gastrointestinal dysfunction and has been widely used to study the pathogenesis of SGU to identify medications that can cure the disease. The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) is the centre integrating visceral and physical activity and contributes to SGU induced by RWIS. Hence, the role of the MD during RWIS needs to be studied.
AIM To screen for differentially expressed proteins in the MD of the RWIS rats to further elucidate molecular mechanisms of SGU.
METHODS Male Wistar rats were selected randomly and divided into two groups, namely, a control group and an RWIS group. Gastric mucosal lesions of the sacrificed rats were measured using the erosion index and the proteomic profiles of the MD were generated through isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, iTRAQ results were verified by Western blot analysis.
RESULTS A total of 2853 proteins were identified, and these included 65 dysregulated (31 upregulated and 34 downregulated) proteins (fold change ratio ≥ 1.2). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that most of the upregulated proteins are primarily related to cell division, whereas most of the downregulated proteins are related to neuron morphogenesis and neurotransmitter regulation. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the dysregulated proteins are mainly involved in the neurological disease signalling pathways. Furthermore, our results indicated that glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta might be related to the central mechanism through which RWIS gives rise to SGU.
CONCLUSION Quantitative proteomic analysis elucidated the molecular targets associated with the production of SGU and provides insights into the role of the MD. The underlying molecular mechanisms need to be further dissected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Nan Gong
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jian-Ping Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ying-Jie Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dong-Qin Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
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Lu MJ, Yu Z, He Y, Yin Y, Xu B. Electroacupuncture at ST36 modulates gastric motility via vagovagal and sympathetic reflexes in rats. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:2315-2326. [PMID: 31148903 PMCID: PMC6529886 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i19.2315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 can significantly improve gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in promoting gastrointestinal motility. The automatic nervous system plays a main role in EA, but few studies exist on how vagovagal and sympathetic reflexes affect EA to regulate gastrointestinal motility.
AIM To study the role of vagovagal and sympathetic reflexes in EA at ST36, as well as the associated receptor subtypes that are involved.
METHODS Gastric motility was measured with a manometric balloon placed in the gastric antrum area in anesthetized animals. The peripheral nervous discharge was measured using a platinum electrode hooking the vagus or greater splanchnic nerve, and the central nervous discharge was measured with a glass microelectrode in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). The effects and mechanisms of EA at ST36 were explored in male Sprague-Dawley rats which were divided in to a control group, vagotomy group, sympathectomy group, and microinjection group [including an artificial cerebrospinal fluid group, glutamate (L-Glu) group, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) group] and in genetically modified male mice [β1β2 receptor-knockout (β1β2-/-) mice, M2M3 receptor-knockout (M2M3-/-) mice, and wild-type control mice].
RESULTS EA at ST36 promoted gastric motility during 30-120 s. During EA, both vagus and sympathetic nerve discharges increased, with a much higher frequency of vagus nerve discharge than sympathetic discharge. The gastric motility mediated by EA at ST36 was interdicted by vagotomy. However, gastric motility mediated by EA at ST36 was increased during 0-120 s by sympathectomy, which eliminated the delay effect of EA during 0-30 s, but it was lower than the control group during 30-120 s. Using gene knockout mice and their wild-type controls to explore the receptor mechanisms, we found that EA at ST36 decreased gastric motility in M2/3-/- mice, and promoted gastric motility in β1/2-/- mice. Extracellular recordings showed that EA at ST36 increased spikes of the DMV. Microinjection of L-Glu into the DMV increased gastric motility, while EA at ST36 decreased gastric motility during 0-60 s, and promoted gastric motility during 60-120 s. Injection of GABA reduced or increased gastric motility, and reduced the promoting gastric motility effect of EA at ST36.
CONCLUSION These data suggest that EA at ST36 modulates gastric motility via vagovagal and sympathetic reflexes mediated through M2/3 and β1/2 receptors, respectively. Sympathetic nerve activity mediated through β1/2 receptors is associated with an early delay in modulation of gastric motility by EA at ST36.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jiang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yan He
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
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Liu Y, Zhang S, Ye F, Yin J, Li S, Chen JDZ. Ameliorating effects and mechanisms of chronic electroacupuncture at ST36 in a rodent model of dyspepsia induced by cisplatin. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2019; 31:e13474. [PMID: 30246392 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy-associated dyspepsia syndrome (CADS) is among the most intensive side effects and critical concerns for patients with cancer. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of chronic electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 on chemotherapy-associated dyspeptic symptoms (CADS) in rats. METHODS Cisplatin (8 mg/kg, ip) was given once to establish CADS model. EA or sham-EA treatment was then performed one hour daily for 21 days. KEY RESULTS (a) EA treatment decreased kaolin intake within 24 hours (1.67 ± 0.23 g vs 2.36 ± 0.37 g in sham-EA, P < 0.05); EA increased food intake (9.43 ± 2.28 vs 4.32 ± 1.26 in sham-EA, P < 0.05) and cisplatin-induced reduction of body weight (426.38 ± 13.25 vs 407.92 ± 13.26 in sham-EA, P = 0.05). (b) The incidence of normal behavioral satiety sequence (53%) in EA group was greater than that in sham-EA (32%) group (X2 = 17.68, P < 0.01). (c) EA increased the percentage of normal gastric slow waves (82.6 ± 5.98 vs 22.8 ± 1.90 in sham-EA, P < 0.05). (d) EA normalized cisplatin delayed gastric emptying (71.3% ± 6.8% vs 44.6% ± 11.2% in control, P < 0.05). (e) EA decreased ratio of heart rate variability (0.30 ± 0.03 vs 0.56 ± 0.05 in sham-EA, P < 0.05). (f) EA decreased fasting ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY (P < 0.01 vs sham-EA for all). CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Chronic EA ameliorates dyspepsia symptom and improves gastric dysmotility induced by Cisplatin, mediated via the vagal and gastrointestinal hormonal mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shannxi, China.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sunjuan Zhang
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Gastroenterology, Tianjin No. 254 Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Ye
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shannxi, China.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jieyun Yin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shiying Li
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jiande D Z Chen
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, Baltimore, Maryland
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Electroacupuncture Reduces Weight in Diet-Induced Obese Rats via Hypothalamic Tsc1 Promoter Demethylation and Inhibition of the Activity of mTORC1 Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:3039783. [PMID: 29853949 PMCID: PMC5944273 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3039783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Subject The study aimed to investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture reducing weight via tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1) promoter methylation, inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. Materials and Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into chow-fed group (chow group) or high-fat diet group (HF group) for 14 weeks. The obesity rats in HF group were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group (EA group) and diet-induced obesity (DIO) group, which received EA stimulation on bilateral ST25, RN12, SP6, and ST36 for 4 weeks or no further treatment, respectively. Methylation of the Tsc1 gene promoter and expression of agouti-related protein (AgRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and proopiomelanocortin (PoMC) were detected at the 18th week. Results At week 18, weight, body fat, and the body fat rate in DIO group were significantly higher than those of the chow and EA group. Compared with the chow group, the DIO group had increased methylation of the Tsc1 gene promoter and expression of mTORC1, AgRP, and NPY gene and decreased PoMC in the hypothalamus; after EA, methylation of the Tsc1 gene promoter, mRNA, and protein of the mTORC1 and expression of AgRP and NPY gene decreased and PoMC increased significantly. Conclusions Our study could shed light on the potential pathway where EA exerts effects on the mechanism of EA treatment for obesity through the hypothalamic Tsc1 promoter demethylation and inhibition of the activity of mTORC1 signaling pathway.
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