Electroacupuncture Alleviates Visceral Hypersensitivity in IBS-D Rats by Inhibiting EGCs Activity through Regulating BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Objective. To determine whether electroacupuncture (EA) could alleviate visceral hypersensitivity in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rats by inhibiting EGCs activity via the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway. Methods. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided to a control group (n = 8) and a model preparation group (n = 32), which received Senna solution by gavage and CUMS (chronic unpredictable mild stress) for 14 consecutive days and was further divided to a Model group, an EA group (only electroacupuncture), an EA + TrkB agonist group (electroacupuncture and TrkB), and an EA + DMSO group (electroacupuncture and DMSO, n = 8 for each). Rats in the three EA groups were acupunctured at ST25, ST36, and LR3 for 20 min every day for 14 days. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was used to quantify visceral sensitivity; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and double immunofluorescent staining were used to detect the colocalized expression of GFAP/BDNF and GFAP/TrkB. Western Blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of PLC and SP in the colon. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Ca2+. Results. EA effectively alleviated visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats ( P < 0.05 ). Compared to the control group, the expression of BDNF, TrkB, PLC, SP, and Ca2+ and the colocalized expression of GFAP/BDNF and GFAP/TrkB increased in the Model group ( P < 0.05 ), while all these parameters decreased in the EA group following EA intervention ( P < 0.05 ). In addition, no significant difference was found between the EA + TrkB agonist group and the control group ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusions. EA alleviates visceral hypersensitivity of IBS-D rats possibly by inhibiting the activity of EGCs through the BDNF/TrkB-PLC-Ca2+ signaling pathway in the colon.

Maintenance of Intestinal Homeostasis in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Electroacupuncture Through Submucosal Enteric Glial Cell-Derived S-Nitrosoglutathione

“…These symptoms were significantly improved after EA treatment. This finding is concurrent with that of other studies ( Chen et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Thus, acupuncture can be considered an alternative treatment for this disease. As the most commonly adopted acupoints, ST36 (Zusanli), ST25 (Tianshu), and LR3 (Taichong) seem to play a positive role in relieving IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and emotional disturbances ( Chen et al, 2019 ; Song et al, 2020 ; Zhao et al, 2022 ).…”

“…A close association is present between EGC and intestinal barrier, visceral hypersensitivity, and ENS plasticity ( Neunlist et al, 2013 ). In addition, an obvious EGC hyperactivity was observed in the colon of IBS-D rats ( Zhao et al, 2022 ). Acupuncture may play a protective role in the function of intestinal barrier in IBS-D, which is very likely to connect to EGC, the central cell for intestinal homeostasis maintenance ( Cheadle et al, 2013 ).…”

“…EA can relieve IBS-D symptoms by inhibiting EGC hyperactivation ( Zhao et al, 2022 ) and promoting intestinal barrier function in IBS-D rats by upregulating ZO-1 expression ( Chen et al, 2019 ). Our previous study has showed that EA could promote EGC morphologic repair, could inhibit the hyperactivation of EGC, and resulted in a significant decrease in EGC-derived substance P content ( Zhao et al, 2022 ). In addition, it is reported that EA ST36 protects intestinal barrier integrity, partly via the activation of EGC ( Hu et al, 2015 ).…”

Efficacy of different courses of acupuncture for diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Approximately 50% of patients with IBS [ 17 ] sought alternative therapy after conventional treatment failed. In recent years, Acupuncture as a complementary and alternative therapie has been widely selected as one of the treatment strategies for IBS-D patients [ 18 , 19 ].…”