The role of amygdala neuropsin/serpinb6 pathway in the regulation of gastric hypersensitivity and anxiety by electroacupuncture

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether the neuropsin pathway in the amygdala and stomach may participate in the development of anxiety‐related gastric hypersensitivity, and whether electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli acupoint could improve this condition by regulating such pathway in the rat model of functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, FD model group and FD + EA group (stimulation at Zusanli acupoint for 30 min daily for 7 consecutive days). Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score and open field test were used to evaluate visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety‐like disorder, respectively. Electrical activity in the amygdala nucleus in each group was recorded by extracellular electrophysiology. Neuropsin and serpinb6 protein expressions in the amygdala and stomach were detected by Western blot. Results AWR score in the FD group increased but did not differ after EA therapy than that in the contro group. Both the center square entries and center entries ratio in the FD group were lower than those in the control and FD + EA groups. The total number and frequency of amygdala nucleus discharges induced by gastric distension in the FD group were significantly higher than those in the control and FD + EA groups. Expression of neuropsin increased and that of serpinb6 decreased in the gastric mucosa and amygdale in the FD group, while no change was observed in gastric mucosa after EA therapy. Conclusion EA stimulation at the Zusanli acupoint may improve visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety in FD rats through the neuropsin/serpinb6 pathway.

Central mechanisms of acupuncture in relieving visceral hypersensitivity in functional gastrointestinal disorders: A narrative review

“…[51,78,79] In addition, acupuncture relieves VH by modulating the signaling pathways, [66,80] the release of neurotransmitters, [51,54,67,76] and the expression of protein. [52,59,61,66,68,69,73] Furthermore, it regulates and activates excitatory and inhibitory gastric-associated neurons in the brain. [53,67,76,81] The acupoint specificity of acupuncture is the key to alleviating VH.…”

“…Amygdala Electroacupuncture ameliorates anxiety-related VH in rats by inhibiting neuronal firing, upregulating the serpinb6 level, and downregulating neuropeptide expression in the amygdala. [73] In addition, electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and GV20 downregulated the protein levels of CRH and CRH receptor 1 in the amygdala of single prolonged stress mice to reduce the fear and anxiety behaviors. [74] This mechanism suggests a potential role of electroacupuncture in relieving stress-induced VH by acting on the amygdala.…”

A central amygdala input to the dorsal vagal complex controls gastric motility in mice under restraint stress

“…In another clinical functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) project, we demonstrated the effects of acupuncture at RN12 plus BL21 on gastric motility were related to changes in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) within the amygdala. Moreover, studies have found that EA at the ST36 (Zusanli) improved visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety in functionally dyspepsic rats through inhibition of neuronal discharge of the amygdala ( Chen et al, 2022 ). Therefore, we sought to determine the impact of emotional center, the amygdala, on the modulation of gastric movement upon treatment with EA.…”

Analysis of brain signal change response in amygdala evoked by skin pressure stimulus

“…In addition, studies on emotions also indicated that the amygdala was the key brain area for the generation and regulation of cognitive function and emotional behavior, which always responsible for fear, 13 phantom limb pain, 14 anxiety, 15 mental stress, 16 and so on. According to the general theory, when people were in the state of “mindfulness,” which was a kind of concentrated and peaceful mind, bilateral amygdala activity would be reduced 17 .…”