An mRNA sequencing analysis of the healing-promoting role of electroacupuncture a in rat skin wound model

Abstract

Background: Many studies have confirmed that electroacupuncture can regulate the body's environment to treat a variety of diseases. However, there are few reports on the mechanism of electroacupuncture therapy for diseases involving skin injury. Transcriptome sequencing can reveal changes in gene expression within cells and the signaling pathways involved. In this study, we used transcriptome sequencing to study the molecular mechanisms by which electroacupuncture promotes the healing of skin lesions.Methods: A total of 10 SD rats were divided into two groups of 5: a control group and an electroacupuncture treatment group. The wound-healing area was compared between the two groups after 3 and 14 days. Then, mRNA sequencing and bioinformatics were used to analyze the changes in gene expression profiles in skin tissue after electroacupuncture stimulation.Results: (I) The wound area was significantly reduced after 3 and 14 days of electroacupuncture compared with the control group (P<0.05). (II) There was a total of 694 gene expression changes, 496 of which were upregulated and 198 of which were downregulated. Analysis of variable gene-related signaling pathways by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), identified immuneinflammatory response, cell proliferation, tissue remodeling, cell metabolism, graft-versus-host disease, antigen processing and presentation, Th17 cell differentiation, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, PPAR signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway and other signaling pathways were changed.Conclusions: Electroacupuncture can promote wound repair, as shown by the changes in gene expression profiles during the healing of skin wounds under electroacupuncture. This study provides a scientific basis that deepens the understanding of the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture.

Electroacupuncture promotes skin wound repair by improving lipid metabolism and inhibiting ferroptosis

“…9 It has been found that electroacupuncture can stimulate fibroblast proliferation, recombine collagen fibres, promote angiogenesis and regulate the changes in gene expression profile during wound healing, thus accelerating wound repair. 13,14 In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that electroacupuncture can target lipid metabolism, particularly phospholipid metabolism, to promote the healing of total skin defects in rats. Seventy-three of these 76 differential lipids were reversed after electroacupuncture treatment, suggesting a pullback effect of electroacupuncture on skin tissue metabolism.…”

“…Lipids likewise play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the skin barrier, supporting skin structure, defending against external attacks and pathogenic pathogens and regulating skin inflammation 9 . It has been found that electroacupuncture can stimulate fibroblast proliferation, recombine collagen fibres, promote angiogenesis and regulate the changes in gene expression profile during wound healing, thus accelerating wound repair 13,14 . In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that electroacupuncture can target lipid metabolism, particularly phospholipid metabolism, to promote the healing of total skin defects in rats.…”

Electroacupuncture attenuates surgical pain-induced delirium-like behavior in mice via remodeling gut microbiota and dendritic spine

“…EA used a pair of needles so that the impulses could pass from one needle to another as described in previous studies ( 24 ). The negative electrode was attached to wound sites, which are considered the main point, while the positive electrode was attached to a secondary point ( 25 ). The positive and negative electrodes were demonstrated in Figure 6 with a red arrowhead and a black arrowhead, respectively.…”