Dynamic Analysis of Metabolic Response in Gastric Ulcer (GU) Rats with Electroacupuncture Treatment Using ¹H NMR-Based Metabolomics

Abstract

Gastric ulcer (GU), a common digestive disease, has a high incidence and seriously endangers health of human. According to the previous studies, it has been proved that electroacupuncture at acupoints of stomach meridian had a good effect on GU. However, there are few published studies on metabolic response in gastric ulcer (GU) rats with electroacupuncture treatment. Herein, we observed the metabolic profiles in biological samples (stomach, liver, and kidney) of GU rats with electroacupuncture treatment by 1H NMR metabolomics combined with pathological examination. The male SD rats were induced by intragastric administration of 70% ethanol after fasting for 24 hours and treated by electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Liangmen (ST21) for 1 day, 4 days, or 7 days, respectively. And the conventional histopathological examinations as well as metabolic pathways assays were also performed. We found that GU rats were basically cured after electroacupuncture treatment for 4 days and had a complete recovery after electroacupuncture treatment for 7 days by being modulated comprehensive metabolic changes, involved in the function of neurotransmitters, energy metabolism, cells metabolism, antioxidation, tissue repairing, and other metabolic pathways. These findings may be helpful to facilitate the mechanism elucidating of electroacupuncture treatment on GU.

Corticosterone-Mediated Physiological Stress Alters Liver, Kidney, and Breast Muscle Metabolomic Profiles in Chickens

“…Both the liver and the kidney have the ability to catabolize ethanol, but the formation of free radicals occurs during catabolism, which can damage these organs and cause energy intensive inflammatory responses [ 48 ]. As a result of increased energy demand, the process of gluconeogenesis can be utilized by the kidney to convert glycerol into glucose and to provide energy for cells in need [ 49 , 50 ]. The decrease in glycerol concentrations observed in the kidney of birds administered ethanol supports this mechanism, and suggests that gluconeogenesis was increased in the kidney to provide more energy due to the higher energy demands due to the inflammatory response caused by the ethanol.…”

“…A further indication that the kidney indeed had higher energy demands is supported by the observed decrease in alanine. The Cahill cycle, or the glucose-alanine cycle, occurs in most extrahepatic tissues, and the resultant molecules from the breakdown of BCAA are converted to alanine, which can more easily be transported to the liver where it can be converted into glucose [ 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Although we did not observe an increase in alanine within the livers of birds administered ethanol, the accumulation of alanine could have been obscured by the rapid conversion of alanine to urea via the urea cycle within the liver.…”

Effect of Moxibustion on Intestinal Microbiome in Acute Gastric Ulcer Rats

“…Some studies had proved that the points of the stomach meridian had a good therapeutic effect on gastric mucosal injury [10,16,17]. Meanwhile, our previous studies proved that GU could be treated effectively by acupuncture at Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36), which belong to the stomach meridian [18][19][20][21]. erefore, "Liangmen" (ST21), "Zusanli" (ST36), "Riyue" (GB24), and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) were selected for treatment by moxibustion (Supplementary Figure S1).…”

Acupuncture therapy for gastric ulcer

“…Both basic research and clinical practice have proved that acupuncture has an obvious effect on gastric ulcers, but the therapeutic mechanism has not been very clear yet. [ 14 ] The current literature maintains that acupuncture is effective at decreasing gastric ulcers in postoperative patients. However, evidence for the effectiveness improvement of postoperative recovery and safety for patients with gastric ulcers is still inconclusive.…”