Electroacupuncture alleviates behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder by modulating lipocalin-2-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex.
10.1016/j.joim.2025.07.002
- Author:
Yu-Die YANG
1
;
Wen ZHONG
1
;
Ming CHEN
2
;
Qing-Chen TANG
1
;
Yan LI
1
;
Lu-Lu YAO
3
;
Mei-Qi ZHOU
4
;
Neng-Gui XU
5
;
Shuai CUI
6
Author Information
1. College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China.
2. Jiangnan Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311201, Zhejiang Province, China.
3. South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China.
4. Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Meridian Viscera Correlationship, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China.
5. South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Meridian Viscera Correlationship, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China.
6. College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Meridian Viscera Correlationship, Hefei 230012, Anhui Province, China. Electronic address: eferson@sina.com.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Electroacupuncture;
Lipocalin-2;
Neuroinflammation;
Posttraumatic stress disorder;
Prefrontal cortex
- MeSH:
Electroacupuncture;
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/metabolism*;
Animals;
Lipocalin-2/metabolism*;
Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology*;
Male;
Mice;
Neurons/physiology*;
Disease Models, Animal;
Fear;
Behavior, Animal;
Mice, Inbred C57BL;
Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism*;
Anxiety/therapy*;
Acupuncture Points
- From:
Journal of Integrative Medicine
2025;23(5):537-547
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) alleviates anxiety and fear behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), focusing on the role of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2).
METHODS:The PTSD mouse model was subjected to single prolonged stress and shock (SPS&S), and the animals received 15 min sessions of EA at Shenmen acupoint (HT7). Behavioral tests were used to investigate the effects of EA at HT7 on anxiety and fear. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify Lcn2 and inflammatory cytokine levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Additionally, the activity of PFC neurons was evaluated by immunofluorescence and in vivo electrophysiology.
RESULTS:Mice subjected to SPS&S presented increased anxiety- and fear-like behaviors. Lcn2 expression in the PFC was significantly upregulated following SPS&S, leading to increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 and suppression of PFC neuronal activity. However, EA at HT7 inhibited Lcn2 release, reducing neuroinflammation and hypoexcitability in the PFC. Lcn2 overexpression mitigated the effects of EA at HT7, resulting in anxiety- and fear-like behaviors.
CONCLUSION:EA at HT7 can ameliorate PTSD-associated anxiety and fear, and its mechanism of action appears to involve the inhibition of Lcn2-mediated neural activity and inflammation in the PFC. Please cite this article as: Yang YD, Zhong W, Chen M, Tang QC, Li Y, Yao LL, et al. Electroacupuncture alleviates behaviors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder by modulating lipocalin-2-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):537-547.
