Effect of electroacupuncture on intestinal mucosal barrier function in functional dyspepsia rats based on TLR4/Myd88 pathway
10.1007/s11726-025-1487-z
- VernacularTitle:基于TLR4/Myd88通路探讨电针对功能性消化不良大鼠肠黏膜屏障功能的影响
- Author:
Zhaoxia KANG
;
Dongmei CUI
;
Yanping YANG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Acupuncture Therapy;
Electroacupuncture;
Functional Dyspepsia;
Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function;
Toll-like Receptor 4;
Rats
- From:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science
2025;23(2):107-116
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on duodenal inflammation and intestinal mucosal barrier function in functional dyspepsia(FD)rats based on the Toll-like receptors 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(Myd88)pathway.Methods:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group(n=10)and a modeling group(n=50).The FD model was induced in the modeling group using a multi-factor comprehensive intervention.Forty successful model rats were randomly allocated into a model(FD)group,an electroacupuncture(EA)group,a TLR4 inhibitor(TAK242)group,and an EA+TAK242 group,with 10 rats in each group.In the EA group,following acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36)and Taichong(LR3),a filiform needle was perpendicularly inserted 3 mm into the lateral side of Zusanli(ST36)bilaterally,positioned between the Stomach Meridian and the Gallbladder Meridian at the lateral edge of the tibia,serving as an auxiliary electrode.An EA instrument was then connected to Zusanli(ST36)and the auxiliary electrode on the same side for intervention.The TAK242 group received tail vein injections of TLR4 inhibitor TAK242[0.5 mg/(kg·bw)],while the EA+TAK242 group received both TAK242 injections and EA intervention.Intragastric residual rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were observed in each group.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect tryptase expression in the duodenum;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid(5-HIAA);Western blotting was used to analyze TLR4,MyD88,zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),and junctional adhesion molecule A(JAM-A)protein expression in the duodenal tissue.Results:In the FD group,the intragastric residual rate increased,small intestinal propulsion rate decreased,ZO-1 and JAM-A protein expression decreased,duodenal tryptase mean optical density increased,serum 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels increased significantly,and TLR4 and MyD88 protein expression increased significantly compared to the blank group(P<0.01).Compared to the FD group,the EA,TAK242,and EA+TAK242 groups showed a decreased gastric residual rate,increased small intestinal propulsion rate,increased ZO-1 and JAM-A protein expression,decreased optical density of duodenal tryptase,and significantly reduced serum 5-HT and 5-HIAA,as well as decreased TLR4 and MyD88 protein levels(P<0.01).Compared to the EA group,the TAK242 group had a higher intragastric residual rate and lower small intestinal propulsion rate(P<0.05),decreased TLR4 protein expression(P<0.05),no significant change in MyD88 protein expression(P>0.05),increased optical density of duodenal tryptase(P<0.05),increased serum 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels(P<0.05),and decreased ZO-1 and JAM-A protein expression(P<0.05).In the EA+TAK242 group,the intragastric residual rate was significantly lower,small intestinal propulsion rate was significantly higher,TLR4 and MyD88 protein expression was significantly lower,optical density of duodenal tryptase was significantly lower,and ZO-1 and JAM-A protein expression levels were significantly higher compared to the EA and TAK242 groups(P<0.01).Conclusion:EA promotes gastrointestinal motility,restores intestinal mucosal barrier function,and reduces inflammatory responses in FD rats,potentially through the down-regulation of the TLR4/Myd88 pathway.
