Electroacupuncture Improves IBS Visceral Hypersensitivity by Inhibiting the Activation of Astrocytes in the Medial Thalamus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Min, Zhao; Wang, Zhaoqin; Weng, Zhijun; Zhang, Fang; Li, Guona; Ma, Zhe; Wu, Huangan; Xin, Yuhu; Liu, Huirong; Zhao, Jimeng

doi:10.1155/2020/2562979

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The analgesic effect of EA on visceral hypersensitivity has been extensively demonstrated (40)(41)(42)(43)(44), and the results of our study are consistent with this. EA reduced AWR scores and increased PWT, indicating that EA attenuated the visceral sensitization and peripheral mechanical hyperalgesia of PI-IBS.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Post-Inflammatory IBS-Associated Visceral and Somatic Hypersensitivity and Correlates With the Regulatory Mechanism of Epac1–Piezo2 Axis

Guo

Chen²,

Wang³

et al. 2022

Front. Endocrinol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Electroacupuncture (EA) is considered to have a therapeutic effect in the relief of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-associated visceral hypersensitivity via the reduction of the level of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and 5-HT3 receptors (5-HT3R). However, whether Epac1/Piezo2, as the upstream of 5-HT, is involved in this process remains unclear. We investigated whether EA at the ST36 and ST37 acupoints alleviated visceral and somatic hypersensitivity in a post-inflammatory IBS (PI-IBS) model mice via the Epac1-Piezo2 axis. In this study, we used 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced PI-IBS as a mouse model. Visceral sensitivity was assessed by the abdominal withdrawal reflex test. Somatic sensitivity was evaluated by the hind paw withdrawal threshold. Quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence staining, ELISA, and Western blotting were performed to examine the expressions of Epac1, Piezo2, 5-HT, and 5-HT3R from the mouse distal colon/L5–S2 dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Our results showed that EA improved the increased visceral sensation and peripheral mechanical hyperalgesia in PI-IBS model mice, and the effects of EA were superior to the sham EA. EA significantly decreased the protein and mRNA levels of Epac1 and Piezo2, and reduced 5-HT and 5-HT3R expressions in the distal colon. Knockdown of colonic Piezo2 eliminated the effect of EA on somatic hypersensitivity. Combined knockdown of colonic Epac1 and Piezo2 synergized with EA in relieving visceral hypersensitivity and blocked the effect of EA on somatic hypersensitivity. Additionally, protein levels of Epac1 and Piezo2 were also found to be decreased in the L5–S2 DRGs after EA treatment. Taken together, our study suggested that EA at ST36 and ST37 can alleviate visceral and somatic hypersensitivity in PI-IBS model mice, which is closely related to the regulation of the Epac1–Piezo2 axis.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Post-Inflammatory IBS-Associated Visceral and Somatic Hypersensitivity and Correlates With the Regulatory Mechanism of Epac1–Piezo2 Axis

Guo

Chen²,

Wang³

et al. 2022

Front. Endocrinol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a rat model of IBS, EA attenuated visceral hyperalgesia by inhibiting the enhanced excitability of colon dorsal root ganglion neurons (29). Zhao et al found that EA improved IBS visceral hypersensitivity by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes in the medial thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex (30). In a controlled clinical study with 7 patients with IBS-D, TEA increased the threshold for rectal sensation of gas, desire to defecate, and pain (31).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation by Accelerating Colon Transit and Reducing Rectal Sensation Using Autonomic Mechanisms

Huang

Lin

et al. 2022

Am J Gastroenterol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

INTRODUCTION: Slow colon transit and visceral hypersensitivity are recognized as major pathophysiological mechanisms in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, there is a lack of therapies targeting both abdominal pain and colonic motility. This study was designed to investigate the long-term effects and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) in patients with IBS-C. METHODS:Fifty-two patients with IBS-C were randomized into 2 groups: daily TEA for 4 weeks (n 5 26) and daily sham-TEA for 4 weeks (n 5 26). The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements per week (CSBMs/week, primary outcome), Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System, Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, colonic transit time, and anorectal physiology were evaluated before treatment and at the end of the treatment. Colonic transit was assessed with radiopaque markers. Electrocardiograms were recorded for assessing autonomic functions. RESULTS:(i) TEA improved constipation and abdominal pain. After the treatment, the number of CSBMs/week during the last week in the TEA group was higher than that in the sham-TEA group (3.5 6 1.6 vs 2.3 6 0.6, P 5 0.002). Similar effects were also noted in the visual analog scale pain score (P 5 0.002) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System score (P 5 0.025). In addition, there was a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients with constipation. The Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life total score was significantly decreased in the TEA group (P 5 0.004). (ii) Compared with sham-TEA, TEA improved colon transit (P 5 0.002) and increased the threshold of rectal sensation (desire to defecate, P 5 0.004; maximum tolerability, P < 0.001). (iii) TEA increased vagal activity, compared with sham-TEA (P < 0.05); at the end of the treatment, the vagal activity was significantly correlated with colon transit and the CSBMs/week. DISCUSSION:TEA improves constipation and symptoms of IBS by accelerating colon transit and reducing rectal sensation, possibly mediated by using the autonomic mechanisms.

show abstract

“…Another recent report indicated that inhibiting the activation of astrocytes in the medial thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex would get involved in EA alleviating IBS VH. It implied that the central mechanism should not be neglected in the future research ( Zhao et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms Involved in Electro-Acupuncture Therapy for Visceral Hypersensitivity

Tahir

Tang

2021

Front. Neurosci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

One of the important characteristic features of clinically significant gastrointestinal disorders is visceral hypersensitivity (VH). Pain sensitization or VH is a big challenge for clinicians and becomes a very thorny work in clinical practices; the therapeutic efficacy for VH results in limited success. A popular second therapy that is being approved for the induction of analgesia and attenuates VH with fewer side effects includes electro-acupuncture (EA). Different peripheral and spinal neurological chemicals, including neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and cytokines, and different signaling pathways were associated with EA treatment in VH. Despite the higher acceptance of EA, the underlying mechanism still needs to be further explored. In this paper, we review the available literature to find the peripheral and spinal mechanisms involved in EA to relieve VH.

show abstract

Electroacupuncture Improves IBS Visceral Hypersensitivity by Inhibiting the Activation of Astrocytes in the Medial Thalamus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Cited by 10 publications

References 38 publications

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Post-Inflammatory IBS-Associated Visceral and Somatic Hypersensitivity and Correlates With the Regulatory Mechanism of Epac1–Piezo2 Axis

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Post-Inflammatory IBS-Associated Visceral and Somatic Hypersensitivity and Correlates With the Regulatory Mechanism of Epac1–Piezo2 Axis

Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Improves Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation by Accelerating Colon Transit and Reducing Rectal Sensation Using Autonomic Mechanisms

Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms Involved in Electro-Acupuncture Therapy for Visceral Hypersensitivity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About