Parkinson's disease constipation effect of electroacupuncture at ST25 through colonic motility and enteric neuropathology

Abstract

BackgroundThe enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a central role in developing Parkinson's disease (PD) constipation, and the regulation of the ENS may be a key component in treating PD constipation. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively treat constipation symptoms in PD, but research on its specific mechanisms, especially in terms of ENS, is relatively lacking. Therefore, we investigated whether EA at ST25 promotes the restoration of ENS structure and colonic motor function in the rotenone-induced PD constipation rat model.MethodsIn this study, we evaluated constipation symptoms by stool characteristics, excretion and water volume, and whole gut transit time and observed colonic motility regulation through colonic motion detection and pathological changes in the colonic myenteric nervous plexus by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsEA significantly improved the constipation symptoms and positively adjusted the colonic motility in rotenone-induced PD constipation rats. At the same time, EA reversed the rotenone-induced colonic myenteric nervous plexus injury and regulated the ratio of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters.ConclusionOur results indicate that EA treatment of PD constipation may be mediated through the adjustment of ENS.

Electroacupuncture at ST25 corrected gut microbial dysbiosis and SNpc lipid peroxidation in Parkinson’s disease rats

“…The efficacy of EA at ST25 on PD motor function and constipation symptoms was confirmed by a randomized controlled multicentre trial ( Li et al, 2023 ). In our previous study on the mechanism of EA at ST25 on PD constipation symptoms, its effects on motor symptoms were also observed ( Song et al, 2022 , 2023 ), and this paper further explored the therapeutic mechanism of motor symptoms on the basis of it. In the previous study, we also found that EA at ST25 changed the characteristics of gut microbiome in PD rats ( Song et al, 2023 ).…”

“…One investigation showed that Bifidobacteria showed a significant advantage after mosapride intervention, which may be related to increased intestinal motility and reduced plasma endotoxin levels with mosapride ( Chen et al, 2022 ). EA at ST25 has also been shown to improve intestinal peristaltic capacity and ENS function ( Song et al, 2022 ). Combined with our results on microbiome analyses, it can be hypothesized that EA may inhibit neuroinflammation, protect DA neurons and improve motor impairment in PD rats by improving the relative abundance of gut microbiota, such as inhibition of Escherichia–Shigella by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus , Dubosiella, and Bifidobacteria .…”

“…This somehow suggests that there must be other powerful and effective anti-inflammatory pathways. Considering the site specificity of ST25 and its ability to regulate intestinal motility functions ( Song et al, 2022 ), there exists a particular value in the study of gut microbiota. Relative to acute inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, gut microbiota modulation, a mild and long-lasting anti-inflammatory tool, is better suited for chronic inflammatory diseases as opposed to autonomic anti-inflammatory pathways.…”

Constipation in Parkinson's Disease

“…In contrast, a considerable body of data from China suggests that acupuncture and electroacupuncture are quite effective. [112][113][114] Based on studies suggesting that the gut microbiome is disturbed in PD 115 and in association with constipation, 116,117 several microbiota-directed therapies have also been employed. The status of probiotics has already been addressed.…”

“…In contrast, a considerable body of data from China suggests that acupuncture and electroacupuncture are quite effective. 112 113 114…”