Objective To explore the relationship between translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40（TOMM40）gene polymorphism and inflammatory status and cognitive function in patients with vascular dementia（VaD）. Methods From June 2020 to December 2022，48 patients with VaD and 40 age-matched control participants were enrolled. TOMM40_rs11556505 and IL-10-592 A/C_rs1800872 polymorphisms were measured. The cognitive function of the patients was evaluated by using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status（RBANS）. Results The main effects of VaD were significant in all the analyses of the sub-scores and total score of RBANS（all P<0.001，all FDR<0.001）. TOMM40_rs11556505 polymorphism had a significant main effect on language score（F=4.524，P=0.034，Cohen f=0.08）. TOMM40×VaD had significant interaction effects on immediate memory（F=4.682，P=0.031，Cohen f=0.08）and language score（F=4.465，P=0.035，Cohen f=0.08）. The two-way multivariate analysis of covariance（IL-10×TOMM40）revealed significant interaction effects between their gene polymorphisms on visual space/structure（F=4.063，P=0.045，FDR=0.080，Cohen f=0.13），language（F=12.031，P<0.001，FDR=0.006，Cohen f=0.23），and delayed memory（F=5.118，P=0.025，FDR=0.075，Cohen f=0.23）in patients with VaD. Conclusion IL-10-592 A/C and TOMM40_rs11556505 gene polymorphisms have interaction effects on cognitive function，with their influence direction depending on each other's genotype.
Interleukin-10

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative pain in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 140 female patients scheduled for unilateral modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer undergoing general anesthesia were randomized into a TEAS group (70 cases) and a sham TEAS group (70 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Patients in both groups received TEAS or sham TEAS at bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Danzhong (CV17), respectively, from 30 min before anesthesia induction until the end of surgery, and on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after surgery for 30 min a time, once a day. On 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after surgery, the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was observed; on 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, the incidence rate of chronic pain was observed; before surgery, and on 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after surgery, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were detected; the number of analgesia pump press, rescue analgesia, and the occurrence of adverse reaction after surgery were recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: In the TEAS group, the VAS scores on 1st and 2nd days after surgery, and the incidence rates of chronic pain on 3 and 6 months after surgery were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). On 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after surgery, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were increased compared with those before surgery in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the above indexes in the TEAS group were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). The number of analgesia pump press and the incidence rate of rescue analgesia after surgery in the TEAS group were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions after surgery between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION TEAS can effectively improve both the postoperative acute pain and chronic pain in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer, the mechanism may relate to inhibiting the inflammatory reaction.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain, Postoperative/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; Adult ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical/adverse effects* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Interleukin-10/blood* ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of needle cauterization on vitiligo with deficiency cold and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 62 patients of vitiligo with deficiency cold and blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 31 cases each group.On the basis of 308 nm excimer light irradiation combined with ironing with Chinese medicine, the control group was treated with tacrolimus ointment for external use, twice a day; the observation group was treated with needle cauterization at vitiligo spots, once a week.Both groups were treated for 10 weeks. Before and after treatment, the area of vitiligo spot, TCM syndrome score, serum levels of inflammatory indexes (interleukin[IL]-6 and IL-17) were observed in the two groups, and the clinical effect was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the areas of vitiligo spot, TCM syndrome scores and serum levels of IL-6, IL-17 were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.5% (29/31), which was higher than 77.4% (24/31) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Needle cauterization could reduce the areas of vitiligo spot in patients of vitiligo with deficiency cold and blood stasis, improve the clinical symptoms, its mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum levels of inflammatory indexes.
Humans ; Vitiligo/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-17/blood* ; Cautery ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Needles ; Cold Temperature ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the pterygopalatine region on nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factors in rats with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an acupuncture group and an electroacupuncture group, 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, OVA-induced AR model was established in the remaining groups. In the electroacupuncture group, the rats were treated with electroacupuncture at the bilateral pterygopalatine region, with disperse-dense wave, in frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and current of 0.5-1 mA, 15 min each time, once every other day, for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, the rats were treated with acupuncture at bilateral pterygopalatine region simply, without electrical stimulation. The rhinitis symptom score was observed, the pathomorphology of the nasal mucosa was observed by HE staining; the serum levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (OVA-sIgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA; the mRNA expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1) and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was detected by real-time PCR; the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the rhinitis symptom score was increased (P<0.01), the serum levels of OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were increased (P<0.05), the nasal mucosa showed pathomorphology of inflammatory infiltration; the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the electroacupuncture group, the rhinitis symptom score was reduced (P<0.01), the pathology of the nasal mucosa was improved; the serum levels of OVA-sIgE, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were decreased (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-18 in the nasal mucosa was decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at the pterygopalatine region can exerting the anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factor imbalance, thus alleviate rhinitis symptoms in AR rats.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic/physiopathology* ; Pyroptosis ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-18/immunology* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Caspase 1/immunology*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at changbing fang (prescription for intestinal disease) on autophagy of colonic cells and gut microbiota in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to explore the mechanism of EA in the treatment of UC. METHODS: Thirty-two SD male rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an EA group and a sham-EA group, with 8 rats in each group. Except the control group, the UC rat model was established by free drinking of 5% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 days in the other groups. In the EA group, changbing fang was adopted, in which, EA was applied at "Tianshu" (ST25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST37), at disperse-dense wave and frequency of 10 Hz/50 Hz, for 20 min in each intervention. In the sham-EA group, shallow transcutaneous puncture was performed at the sites, 5 mm away from the points as the EA group, with the same parameters as the EA group. The intervention was delivered once daily for 3 consecutive days. The body weight was measured daily and the disease activity index (DAI) score was calculated before and after intervention. After intervention completion, the colon length was measured. Using HE staining, the colon morphology was observed and the score of colonic pathology was assessed. With ELISA adopted, the contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum of the rats were detected. The ultrastructure of the colon tissue was observed under electron microscopy. Using Western blotting, the protein expression was detected for microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ, LC3Ⅰ, autophagy-related genes (ATG) 5, ATG12, sequestosome 1 (p62), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the colon tissue. The mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT and m-TOR in the colon tissue was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the structure of gut flora in the feces of rats. RESULTS: From day 1 to day 7, compared with the control group, the body weight decreased in the model group, EA group, and SEA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). From day 9 to day 10, the EA group showed an increase in body weight compared with the model group and SEA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Before intervention, the DAI score in the model group, EA group, and SEA group was higher than the score of the control group, respectively (P<0.01). After intervention, the DAI score in the EA group was reduced compared with the model group and SEA group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, in the model group, the colon length of rats was shorter (P<0.01); it showed the distorted crypts, thinner mucosal layer, reduced goblet cells, inflammatory cell infiltration and the disarranged histological structure; and the pathological score of the colon tissue increased (P<0.01); the serum contents of TNF-α and IL-1β increased (P<0.01), and those of IL-2 and IL-10 decreased (P<0.01). The structure of colon epithelial cells was disarranged, with cilia pelt off, and a large number of vacuoles in the cytoplasm; the mitochondria were swollen, with unclear structure and cristae partially disappeared; and few autophagosomes were observed. The value of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰand the protein expression of ATG5 and ATG12 in the colon tissues were reduced (P<0.01), the protein expression of p62 and PI3K, and the values of p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR increased (P<0.01), and mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR was elevated (P<0.01). The indexes of Chao1, Ace and Shannon decreased (P<0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased (P<0.05), that of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the genus level, the relevant abundance of Lactobacillus decreased (P<0.05), while that of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Phascolarctobacterium increased (P<0.01, P<0.05 ). Compared with the model group and SEA group, in the EA group, the colon length increased (P<0.01), the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced, the arrangement of intestinal epithelial cells was arranged regularly, with a small amount of shedding, and the pathological score of the colon tissue decreased (P<0.01). The serum contents of TNF-α and IL-1β decreased (P<0.01), and those of IL-2 and IL-10 increased (P<0.01). The colonic epithelial cells were arranged relatively, the morphology of organelles was basically normal, and autophagosomes were visible. The value of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰand the protein expression of ATG5 and ATG12 in colon tissue increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the protein expression of p62 and PI3K, and the values of p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR decreased (P<0.01); and mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, m-TOR was reduced (P<0.01). The indexes of Chao1, Ace and Shannon increased (P<0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased (P<0.01), while that of Bacteroidetes decreased (P<0.01). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased (P<0.05), whereas that of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group decreased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased (P<0.05), and that of Phascolarctobacterium was reduced (P<0.05) in the EA group. CONCLUSION EA at changbingfang alleviates UC symptoms probably through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to regulate colonic autophagy and improve the intestinal flora.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Colon/metabolism* ; Humans ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Points ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Interleukin-10/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture combined with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol on promoting intestinal function in patients after gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: Forty-four patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer were randomly divided into an experimental group (22 cases, 3 cases were excluded) and a control group (22 cases, 4 cases were excluded). Both groups received treatment under ERAS protocol, the experimental group was given electroacupuncture at bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36) and Quchi (LI11), disperse-dense wave was selected, with frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. The control group received placebo electroacupuncture intervention, with the same acupoints as the experimental group, electrode pads were placed on the acupoints without electrical stimulation. Each session lasted 30 min, starting from 1 h after surgery, once every 24 h, until the patient resumed anal flatus. The intestinal sound rate of both groups was observed 24 h before surgery and 24, 48 h after surgery. The bowel sound recovery time (BSRT), time to first anal flatus, time to first defecation, and tolerance to oral enteral nutrition suspension were compared between the two groups. The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured 24 h before surgery and 24 h after surgery in both groups. RESULTS: The intestinal sound rate 24 h after surgery was decreased compared with that 24 h before surgery in the two groups (P<0.05), the intestinal sound rate 24, 48 h after surgery in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The BSRT in the experimental group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05) .The levels of serum CRP, IL-6, IL-10 24 h after surgery in the experimental group were higher than those 24 h before surgery (P<0.05), while the levels of serum CRP, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ in the control group were higher than those 24 h before surgery (P<0.05); the levels of serum CRP、IL-4、IFN-γ 24 h after surgery in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) .The tolerance rate of oral enteral nutrition suspension in the experimental group was 84.2% (16/19), which was higher than 50.0% (9/18) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with ERAS protocol can improve the intestinal motility, shorten the BSRT, enhance the tolerance of oral intake, and reduce inflammatory response in patients after gastric cancer surgery.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastrectomy ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Intestines/physiopathology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the intestinal flora in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and explore its possible mechanism based on the gut-lung axis theory. METHODS: A total of 30 male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each one. In the model group and the EA group, COPD model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide combined with cigarette fumigation. In the EA group, EA was applied at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Zusanli" (ST36), with disperse-dense waves, in frequency of 4 Hz/20 Hz, current of 1-3 mA, 20 min a time, once a day for 14 days continuously. Before and after modeling, as well as after intervention, body weight was observed; after intervention, the lung function indexes (forced expiratory volume in 0.1 second [FEV_0.1], FEV_0.1/forced vital capacity [FVC]%, forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second [FEV_0.3] and FEV_0.3/FVC%) were measured, serum levels of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α[TNF-α], interleukin-6[IL-6], interleukin-1β[IL-1β] and interleukin-10[IL-10]) were detected by ELISA, histopathology of lung and colon tissues was observed by HE staining, the intestinal flora were analyzed by 16S rRNA, and the correlations between lung function and intestinal flora were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, in the COPD group, the body weight and lung function indexes were reduced (P<0.01); the lung and colon tissues were damaged, the mean linear intercept (MLI) of alveolus and inflammatory cell numbers of 100 μm² in lung tissue were increased (P<0.01); the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the serum level of IL-10 was decreased (P<0.01); α-diversity indexes of intestinal flora were increased (P<0.01); the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Coprococcus was increased (P<0.01), the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, TM7 and Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, YRC22 was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); 31 different expressed metabolic pathways were identified between the two groups. Compared with the COPD group, in the EA group, the body weight and lung function indexes were increased (P<0.01); the damage of lung and colon tissues was improved, the MLI of alveolus was decreased (P<0.05); the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were decreased (P<0.05), and the serum level of IL-10 was increased (P<0.05); α-diversity indexes of intestinal flora were decreased (P<0.01); the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Coprococcus was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, TM7 and Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, YRC22 was increased (P<0.01); 35 different expressed metabolic pathways were identified between the two groups. The lung function was positive related with Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, TM7 and YRC22, and was negative related with Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Oscillospira, Bacteroides, Coprococcus. CONCLUSION EA may ameliorate lung function and tissue injury of COPD by regulating intestinal flora dysbiosis and inflammatory response, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect mediated via "gut-lung" axis.
Animals ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/genetics* ; Male ; Electroacupuncture ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Lung/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Interleukin-6/immunology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Intestines/microbiology* ; Interleukin-10/immunology*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of warming acupuncture combined with western medication for oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency and its effects on the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in seminal plasma. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency were randomly divided into a combination group and a medication group, with 30 cases in each group. The medication group was treated with levocarnitine oral solution orally, 10 mL once, 3 times a day. On the basis of the treatment in the medication group, warming acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4) and Mingmen (GV4) in the combination group, once every other day, 3 times a week. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the TCM syndrome score was observed, the semen routine indexes (the sperm concentration, progressive [PR] sperm motility, PR + non-progressive [NP] sperm motility and sperm malformation rate), the serum sex hormones indexes (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], testosterone [T] and estradiol [E₂]), as well as the IL-6 and IL-10 levels in seminal plasma were detected, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, except for the hyposexuality score in the medication group, the each item scores and total scores of TCM syndrome were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates, serum FSH and LH levels, IL-6 levels in the seminal plasma were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the PR sperm motility, PR + NP sperm motility, serum T levels, IL-10 levels in the seminal plasma were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the two groups; the sperm concentration was increased compared with that before treatment in the combination group (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the medication group, except for the hyposexuality and frequent nocturia scores, the each item scores and total score of TCM syndrome were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05); the sperm concentration, PR sperm motility and PR + NP sperm motility, serum T level, IL-10 level in the seminal plasma were higher (P<0.01, P<0.05); sperm malformation rate, serum FSH and LH levels, IL-6 level in the seminal plasma were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the combination group. The total effective rate was 83.8% (25/30) in the combination group, which was superior to 60.0% (18/30) in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Warming acupuncture combined with western medication can effectively treat oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency, regulate the levels of sex hormones, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of IL-6 level and the up-regulation of IL-10 level in seminal plasma.
Humans ; Male ; Interleukin-10/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Oligospermia/drug therapy* ; Yang Deficiency/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Young Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/drug therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of combination therapy of wheat-grained sized cone moxibustion and point-to-point needle insertion with medical ozone penetrating injection for allergic rhinitis (AR) and its effect on inflammation-related indexes. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with persistent AR were enrolled. The patients received medical ozone injection at bilateral Yingxiang (LI20)-to-Shangyingxiang (EX-HN8), and wheat-grained sized cone moxibustion at Dazhui (GV14), twice a week (with a 3-day interval) for 4 consecutive weeks. The total nasal symptoms score (TNSS), total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), and rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT) scores were evaluated before treatment, after treatment, and at the 8-week follow-up. Levels of eosinophil (EOS) count, immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-17 were measured before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment, and the recurrence rate was assessed at follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the TNSS, TNNSS, and RQLQ scores were decreased (P<0.05), while the RCAT score was increased (P<0.05) after treatment and at follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in above indexes between the post-treatment and follow-up (P>0.05). After treatment, the whole blood EOS count and serum levels of IgE, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17 were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, 17 cases were markedly effective, 12 cases were effective, and 2 cases were ineffective, resulting in a total effective rate of 93.5%. At follow-up, 2 cases relapsed, and the recurrence rate was 6.9%. CONCLUSION Combination therapy of wheat-grained sized cone moxibustion and point-to-point needle insertion with medical ozone injection can improve AR symptoms, reduce the recurrence rate, and enhance the quality of life. The mechanism may be associated with the regulation of immune-related indexes.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Adult ; Ozone/administration & dosage* ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Immunoglobulin E/blood* ; Rhinitis, Allergic/immunology* ; Interleukin-4/immunology*

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment is efficacious in patients with respiratory disorders, although the mechanisms of its action in lung-function protection are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the neuroanatomical mechanisms of EA stimulation at the BL13 acupoint (Feishu, EA-BL13) improvement in asthma. METHODS: Allergic asthma was induced by intranasal 2.0% ovalbumin (OVA) instillation combined with intraperitoneal injection of the 10.0% OVA. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff stain were used to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Cellular oncogene fos induction in neurons after EA stimulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The messenger RNA expression levels of adrenergic receptors were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: EA improved airway inflammation and mucus secretion mainly by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways ( P <0.001). Briefly, the intermediolateral (IML) nuclei of the spinal cord received signals from somatic EA stimulation and then delivered the information via the sympathetic trunk to the lung. Excited sympathetic nerve endings in lung tissue released large amounts of catecholamines that specifically activated the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on T cells ( P <0.01) and further decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 ( P <0.001) through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway. CONCLUSION This study provided a new explanation and clinical basis for the use of EA-BL13 as a treatment for allergic asthma in both the attack and remission stages and other respiratory disorders related to airway inflammation.
Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Animals ; Asthma/immunology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Inflammation/therapy* ; Interleukin-4/metabolism* ; Interleukin-5/metabolism*