The neuro-immune microenvironment of acupoints—initiation of acupuncture effectiveness

Abstract

Acupuncture is a centuried and unfading treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been proved to exert curative effects on various disorders. Numerous works have been put in to uncover the effective mechanisms of acupuncture. And the interdependent interaction between acupuncture and acupoint microenvironment is a crucial topic. As a benign minimally invasive stimulation, the insertion and manipulation of needle at acupoint could cause deformation of local connective tissue and secretion of various molecules, such as high mobility group box 1 and ATP. The molecules are secreted into extracellular space and bind to the corresponding receptors thus active NF‐κB, MAPK, ERK pathways on mast cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and monocytes/macrophages, among others. This is supposed to trigger following transcription and translation of immune factors and neural active substance, as well as promote the free ion movement (such as Ca2+ influx) and the expansion of blood vessels to recruit more immune cells to acupoint. Finally, acupuncture could enhance network connectivity of local microenvironment at acupoints. The earlier mentioned substances further act on a variety of receptors in local nerve endings, transmitting electrical and biochemical signals to the CNS, and giving full play to the acupuncture action. In conclusion, we portrayed a neuro‐immune microenvironment network of acupoints that medicates the acupuncture action, and would lay a foundation for the systematic study of the complex network relationship of acupoints in the future.

Mechanism of Action of Acupuncture in Obesity: A Perspective From the Hypothalamus

“…The parameters of EA, such as waveforms, frequencies, intensity, and stimulus time, can be accurately characterized. It is reported that acupuncture has positive effects on the central nervous system (15), metabolism (16), gastrointestinal system (17), and immune system (18), and in the treatment of obesity. Acupuncture may bring about weight loss by regulating appetite and energy expenditure (19).…”

ST36 Acupuncture Alleviates the Inflammation of Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rats by Targeting Monocyte/Macrophage Modulation

“…e CNS may then promote antiinflammatory actions via neuroimmune innervation or neuroendocrine regulation. Meanwhile, the substances from the acupoint may also enter the circulation resulting Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in anti-inflammatory actions by humoral immune regulation [32].…”

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