Effects of electroacupuncture at pterygopalatine region on NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and inflammatory factors in allergic rhinitis rats.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240204-k0001
- Author:
Haiyang LV
1
;
Meihui TIAN
1
;
Shuyi SHE
1
;
Yucheng LIU
1
;
Lei SUN
2
;
Wu SONG
3
;
Yong TANG
4
Author Information
1. Changchun University of CM, Changchun 130117, Jilin Province, China.
2. Third Clinical Hospital Affiliated to Changchun University of CM.
3. Clinical College of Changchun University of CM, Changchun 130117, Jilin Province.
4. Clinical College of Changchun University of CM, Changchun 130117, Jilin Province; Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of CM, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
NLRP3 inflammasome;
allergic rhinitis;
electroacupuncture;
pterygopalatine fossa;
pyroptosis
- MeSH:
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*
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(3):345-350
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
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.
