Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms Involved in Electro-Acupuncture Therapy for Visceral Hypersensitivity

Abstract

One of the important characteristic features of clinically significant gastrointestinal disorders is visceral hypersensitivity (VH). Pain sensitization or VH is a big challenge for clinicians and becomes a very thorny work in clinical practices; the therapeutic efficacy for VH results in limited success. A popular second therapy that is being approved for the induction of analgesia and attenuates VH with fewer side effects includes electro-acupuncture (EA). Different peripheral and spinal neurological chemicals, including neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and cytokines, and different signaling pathways were associated with EA treatment in VH. Despite the higher acceptance of EA, the underlying mechanism still needs to be further explored. In this paper, we review the available literature to find the peripheral and spinal mechanisms involved in EA to relieve VH.

NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 Regulation of Chronic Visceral Hyperalgesia

“…In addition, the volume threshold of the MC+NCI group and the FC+NCI group was lower than that of the MC+NPI group and the FC+NCI group, showing that NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 central intervention had a stronger effect than the peripheral intervention. Numerous studies [23][24][25] have shown that the mechanism of visceral hyperalgesia involves brain center sensitization, facilitation of visceral sensory nerve conduction, sensitization of peripheral receptors, and many other aspects; therefore, the differences caused by NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 central and peripheral intervention on chronic visceral hyperalgesia may be related to a different sensitization degree between NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 upregulated and downregulated signaling pathways, also related to the different sensitization mechanisms. With respect to sex-specific effects, the distension volume threshold causing AWR3 response of the MC group, the MC+NPI group, and the MC+NCI group was lower than that of the FC group, the FC+NPI group, and the FC+NCI group.…”

Electroacupuncture Improves Depression-Like Behavior by Regulating the Abundance of Lactobacillus and Staphylococci in Mice

“…CUMS modeling was followed by a 14-day intervention. EA was performed on mice in the EA group at GV20 (the center of the parietal bone) and GV29 (the middle of both brow bones) [3]. The mice were lightly immobilized in a clear acrylic mouse holder (number of version: SMT-HC-GDS, Smart (Guangzhou) Biotechnology Co Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China) and disposable acupuncture needles (lot number: 210802A, 0.22 mm × 5 mm, SUZHOU ACUPUNCURE & MOXIBUSTION AP-PLIANCE CO LTE, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China) were inserted horizontally into the two points at a depth of 2-3 mm.…”

“…Therefore, it is important to explore the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. Researchers have increased focus on the clinical efficacy and brain-gut axis theory of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of depression [3].…”

Acupuncture and Spinal Stenosis: Considerations for Treatment

“…31 In addition, acupuncture has been shown to inhibit sensory components of the spinal cord and periphery by a complex interaction between numerous neuropeptides and neurotransmitters other than endogenous opioid-like peptides, including cytokines, serotonin, substance P, n-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors, and signaling molecules, such as janus kinase-2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3. 32 Acupuncture has been demonstrated to inhibit the action of several cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α), and attenuating the response of chemokines and their respective receptors, such as chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1)/CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2). 33 Another theory is the inhibition of central sensitization mediated by neuroglial plasticity.…”