The effect of electroacupuncture at ST25 on Parkinson's disease constipation through regulation of autophagy in the enteric nervous system

Abstract

The effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for constipation have been confirmed by numerous clinical studies and experiments, and there are also studies on the efficacy of EA for Parkinson's disease (PD) motor symptoms. However, there are few researches on EA for PD constipation. Autophagy is thought to be involved in the mechanistic process of EA in the central nervous system (CNS) intervention in Parkinson's pathology. However, whether it has the same effect on the enteric nervous system (ENS) has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated whether EA at Tianshu (ST25) acupoint promotes the clearance of α‐Syn and damaged mitochondria aggregated in the ENS in a model of rotenone‐induced PD constipation. This study evaluated constipation symptoms by stool characteristics, excretion volume, and water content, and the expression levels of colonic ATG5, LC3II, and Parkin were detected by Western Blot (WB) and Real‐Time Quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR). The relationship between the location of α‐Syn and Parkin in the colonic ENS was observed by immunofluorescence (IF). The results showed that EA intervention significantly relieved the symptoms of rotenone‐induced constipation in PD rats, reversed the rotenone‐induced down‐regulation of colonic ATG5, LC3II, and Parkin expression, and the positional relationship between colonic α‐Syn and Parkin proved to be highly correlated. It is suggested that EA might be helpful in treating PD constipation by modulating Parkin‐induced mitochondrial autophagy.

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 ).…”

“…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 ). According to the current cutting-edge research progress, the changes of gut microbiome are closely related to the onset and treatment of PD ( Travagli et al, 2020 ), which aroused our interest and prompted us to conduct related research.…”

Acupuncture for constipation in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…[48] Electroacupuncture can promote the clearance of alpha-SYN and damaged mitochondria by regulating colonic autophagy, thereby restoring the Enteric Nervous System function and acting as an ameliorator of PD constipation. [49] Acupuncture can prevent intestinal microbiota from affecting the nervous system of PD mice by regulating and improving the diversity of intestinal microbiota, thus protecting substantia nigra neurons. [50] In addition, studies have shown that electroacupuncture improves stool excretion, accelerates intestinal propulsion, and improves intestinal motility in Thy1-αSYN mice.…”

Traditional Chinese medicine in human diseases treatment: New insights of their potential mechanisms

“…Nevertheless, the authors also pointed out that the insufficient sample size and low data quality are the main limitations in this field. In addition, another TCM study involving the nervous system, specifically the potential mechanism of EA stimulating ST25 to improve constipation in Parkinson's disease, is also included in this issue (Song et al, 2023).…”