Parameter-specific analgesic effects of electroacupuncture mediated by degree of regulation TRPV1 and P2X3 in inflammatory pain in rats

Ren

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

et al. 2020

Background. Sepsis is a global major health problem with high mortality rates. More effective therapy is needed for treating sepsis. Acupuncture has been used for various diseases, including severe infection, in China for more than 2,000 years. Previous studies reported that acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) might be effective in treating sepsis, but the efficacy and the quality of evidence remain unclear since there is no systematic review on acupuncture at ST36 for sepsis. Methods. Seven databases were searched from the inception of each database up to May 2019. Ultimately, 54 studies using acupuncture at ST36 for the treatment of experimental sepsis were identified in both English and Chinese literature with systematic review procedures. Results. Acupuncture might be useful in reducing injuries induced by sepsis in cardiac, lung, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and immune system. Its potential mechanisms for antisepsis might include reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, improving microcirculatory disturbance, and maintaining the immune balance mediated by dopamine. However, the positive findings should be interpreted with caution due to poor methodological quality and publication bias. Conclusion. Acupuncture at ST36 might be a promising complementary strategy for controlling sepsis inflammation, yet further studies are needed.

Section: 1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) for Experimental Sepsis: A Systematic Review

Ren

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

et al. 2020

“…It was noted that 100 Hz EAP stimulation had a stronger effect than stimulation with 2 Hz. In addition, EAP reversed the increased P2X3R-immunoreactivity and protein expression in DRGs, as measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively [44,45].…”

Section: P2x3 Receptorsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…When the PWT and PWL were measured with mechanical pressure and heat, respectively, on the CFA-treated hind paw of rats, EAP applied to Zusanli and BL60 (Kunlun acupoint) exerted analgesia in this inflammatory pain model [44,45]. It was noted that 100 Hz EAP stimulation had a stronger effect than stimulation with 2 Hz.…”

Section: P2x3 Receptorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Purinergic signaling as a basis of acupuncture-induced analgesia

Tang

et al. 2020

Purinergic Signalling

This review summarizes experimental evidence indicating that purinergic mechanisms are causally involved in acupuncture (AP)-induced analgesia. Electroacupuncture (EAP) and manual AP release at pain-relevant acupoints ATP which may activate purinergic P2X receptors (Rs) especially of the P2X3 type situated at local sensory nerve endings (peripheral terminals of dorsal root ganglion [DRG] neurons); the central processes of these neurons are thought to inhibit via collaterals of ascending dorsal horn spinal cord neurons, pain-relevant pathways projecting to higher centers of the brain. In addition, during AP/EAP non-neuronal P2X4 and/or P2X7Rs localized at microglial cells of the CNS become activated at the spinal or supraspinal levels. In consequence, these microglia secrete bioactive compounds such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species, which modulate the ascending neuronal pathways conducting painful stimuli. Alternatively, ATP released at acupoints by AP/EAP may be enzymatically degraded to adenosine, stimulating in loco presynaptic A1Rs exerting an inhibitory influence on the primary afferent fibers (the above mentioned pain-sensing peripheral terminals of DRG neurons) which thereby fail to conduct action potentials to the spinal cord dorsal horn. The net effect of the stimulation of P2X3, P2X4, P2X7, and A1Rs by the AP/EAP-induced release of ATP/adenosine at certain acupoints will be analgesia.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

“…Increasing evidence shows the acupoint is the initial and key regulatory site of the MA effect [ 4 , 5 ]. The needle manipulation process, through mechanical stimulation (microtrauma), can cause afferent nerve excitation [ 6 ], connective tissue deformation [ 7 ], ion channel on or off [ 8 ] in the acupoint, which promotes the release of multiple neurotransmitter, endocrine hormones, and immune factors [ 9 , 10 ]. These substances interacted with each other, constituting the local “acupoint network” [ 11 ], which initiate and transmit the MA information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying Complex Network and Cell‐Cell Communication Network Diagram Methods to Explore the Key Cytokines and Immune Cells in Local Acupoint Involved in Acupuncture Treating Inflammatory Pain

Zhang

Zhao

Ding

et al. 2020

Manual acupuncture (MA) can effectively treat a variety of diseases, but its specific mechanism remains unclear. The “acupoint network” activated by MA participates in MA signal transduction, in which immune-related cells and cytokines play an important role. However, which cells and cytokines in the acupoint have changed after MA? What is the network relationship between them? Which cells and cytokines may play the most important role in MA effect? These problems are unclear. In this study, on the basis of affirming the analgesic, detumescence, and anti-inflammatory effect of MA, the concentration of 24 cytokines in ST36 acupoint in rats with inflammatory pain after MA treatment was detected by multiplex immunoassay technology. Then, using statistical and complex network and cell-cell communication (CCC) network diagram method to analyze the detected data depicts the network relationship between the cytokines and related cells objectively and establishes cytokine connection network and CCC network, respectively. The results showed that MA reinforced communication intensity between cells while reducing the overall correlation intensity. On this basis, the key cytokines and key cells at three MA time-points were screened out, cytokines IL-6, MCP-1, fibroblasts cell, and monocyte macrophage screened by the three methods at three MA time-points might be the key cytokines or key cells. After that, we detected the macrophages in ST36 acupoint by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence and found that the relative amount of macrophages increased significantly after MA, especially the macrophage of the dermis of skin. This study provided a basis for revealing the initiated mechanism of MA effect.