Effect of Electroacupuncture on Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Peripheral Blood after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion/Reperfusion in Rats Based on Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Previous fundamental and clinical research has shown that electroacupuncture (EA) at the acupoints of Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) can successfully alleviate motor dysfunction following stroke. Additionally, it has been discovered that gut microbiota and their metabolites play an essential role in stroke. However, the relationship between the metabolites of gut microbiota and the efficacy of EA is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of EA at LI11 and ST36 in the treatment of motor dysfunction after middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) in model rats by comparing the differences and correlation between different short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the recovery of motor function. The results indicated that EA at LI11 and ST36 acupoints enhanced the neurological function, motor function, and infarct volume of MCAO/R rats. The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, and total SCFAs were considerably lower in the MCAO/R group than in the sham group ( P < 0.05 ). Acetic acid, propionic acid, and total SCFA concentrations were substantially higher in the MCAO/R + EA group than in the MCAO/R group ( P < 0.05 ). Finally, Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the propionic acid concentration was substantially favorably connected with the duration on the rotarod ( r = 0.633 and P < 0.05 ) and highly negatively correlated with the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) ( r = − 0.698 and P < 0.05 ) and the percentage of cerebral infarct volume ( r = − 0.729 and P < 0.05 ). Taken together, these findings indicate that the increase in propionic acid may be one of the mechanisms and targets of EA at LI11 and ST36 acupoints to improve poststroke motor dysfunction in MCAO/R rats.

Electroacupuncture and human iPSC-derived small extracellular vesicles regulate the gut microbiota in ischemic stroke via the brain-gut axis

“…Relevant studies have shown that acupuncture has a positive effect on the treatment of ischemic stroke through the interaction between the gut microbiota and the immune response; it can correct disorders in intestinal microbiota, reduce the immune inflammatory response, and promote the recovery of brain tissue damage and neurological function after stroke (51, 52). Acupuncture at LI11, GB34 and ST36 promotes recovery after stroke by regulating intestinal microecology and plasma metabolism (53). Acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 can benignly modulate gut microbiota dysbiosis and significantly reduce intestinal inflammation (54).…”

Exploring the potential mechanism of Fritiliariae Irrhosae Bulbus on ischemic stroke based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

“…The Modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS) was used for analysis ( Ke et al, 2022 ). The mice were scored on the first, third and fifth days of modeling to observe the neurological deficit of mice in each group, including exercise test, sensory test, balance test, reflex test and abnormal exercise.…”

Interventional strategies for ischemic stroke based on the modulation of the gut microbiota

“…Probiotics can also improve the negative emotions of IS patients, including anxiety and depression, 3 months after stroke (Bailey and Cryan, 2017;Liu et al, 2020). Probiotic treatment not only alters the microenvironment to limit pathological progress but also plays a complementary role by promoting the pharmaceutical management of calciumchannel blockers and statins (Liu W. et al, 2022). Combinatorial therapy with regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy, has also been found by some researchers to increase the level of the neurotrophic factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) through symbiotic treatment to enhance neurogenesis and poststroke cognitive function.…”

“…Angong Niuhuang Pill (Zhang H. et al, 2022) the family Prevotellaceae, the genus Alloprevotella, the phylum Bacteroidota↓ the family Lachnospiraceae, the genera Lachnoclostridium, the phylum Firmicutes, Enterorhabdus, Colidextribacter, Roseburia, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006↑ prostaglandin I2 and uridine↑ Buyang Huanwu decoction (Liu W. et al, 2022) Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria↑ Escherichia coli, Actinobacterium↓…”

“…Acupuncture treatment at different acupoints, such as Quchi and Zusanli (Ke et al, 2022), is an efficient therapy for IS. It is extensively practiced in China and has also been accepted in other countries and regions in recent years.…”