Changes of local microenvironment and systemic immunity after acupuncture stimulation during inflammation: A literature review of animal studies

Abstract

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the underlying mechanisms by which acupuncture therapy mediates both local and systemic immunomodulation. However, the connection between alterations in the local microenvironment and the resulting change in systemic immunity remains unclear. In this review, we focus on cell-specific changes in local immune responses following acupuncture stimulation and their link to systemic immune modulation. We have gathered the most recent evidence for chemo- and mechano-reactive changes in endothelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and mast cells in response to acupuncture. Local signaling is then related to the activation of systemic neuro-immunity including the cholinergic, adrenal, and splenic nervous systems and pain-related neuromodulation. This review aims to serve as a reference for further research in this field.

Best acupuncture method for mammary gland hyperplasia: Evaluation of randomized controlled trials and Bayesian network meta-analysis

“…Studies have shown that PC6 regulates the balance between sympathetic and vagal nerves and improves the gene profile of tissue energy metabolism, immune regulation, and inflammatory pathways by regulating adenosine A1 and A2b receptors, thus improving analgesic and inflammatory effects [ 89 ]. Stimulation of acupoints such as PC6, KI3, GB21, and LR14 can regulate neurohormones through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in both directions, regulate tissue metabolism and the endocrine system, inhibit the level of angiogenic factors, increase capillary permeability, promote blood circulation, and improve breast tissue metabolism, thus relieving pain, swelling, hardness, and other discomforts in the mammary gland [ 90 , 91 ]. These findings provide significant clinical evidence for the effectiveness of MGH treatment.…”

Aberrant parasympathetic responses in acupuncture therapy for restoring immune homeostasis

“…Acupuncture can suppress immune response in inflammatory diseases and also relieve immune suppression in immune-paralysis diseases such as malignant cancer [77] and HIV. It has been reported that acupuncture can activate natural killer (NK) and CD8 + T cells [77][78] , regulate the balance of TH1/TH2 [79] and regulatory T cell (Treg)/TH17 cell, and promote mast cell degranulation [80] to activate the body's immune response. Based on the above immune regulatory mechanisms, acupuncture can be used to ameliorate tumor immune microenvironment and improve the immunosuppressive state of malignant tumor patients, which is an ideal and promising treatment program.…”