Electroacupuncture Improves Intestinal Motility through Exosomal miR-34c-5p Targeting SCF/c-Kit Signaling Pathway in Slow Transit Constipation Model Rats

Abstract

Background. The pathogenesis of slow transit constipation (STC) is associated with exosomal miR-34c-5p. Electroacupuncture (EA) improves gastrointestinal motility in gastrointestinal disorders, especially STC. Our study aimed to explore the mechanism by which EA improves intestinal motility by modulating the release of exosomes and the transmission of exosomal miR-34c-5p. Methods. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups. STC model rats were induced, and GW4869, the exosome release inhibitor, was used to inhibit the release of exosome. The serum exosomes were authenticated under a transmission electron microscope and nanoparticle tracking analysis. RT-qPCR detected the expression of miR-34c-5p in serum exosomes and colonic tissues. The fecal number in 24 hours, Bristol scores, and intestinal transit rates were used to assess intestinal motility. Subsequently, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to examine the colonic mucosal histology. Finally, the expression of stem cell factor (SCF) and receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) protein was measured using immunohistochemistry staining. Results. We found that EA upregulated exosomal miR-34c-5p in serum and downregulated miR-34c-5p in colonic tissues ( P < 0.01 ). EA improved fecal numbers in 24 hours, Bristol scores, and intestinal transit rates in STC rats ( P < 0.01 ). EA recovered the colonic histological structure and enhanced the expression of SCF and c-Kit protein ( P < 0.01 ). The therapeutic effect of EA was attenuated after inhibiting the release of the exosome. Conclusion. Our results indicated that EA improves intestinal motility in STC rats by transporting of exosomal miR-34c-5p targeting the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway.

Study on regulating AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, 5-HT, NOS1 in slow transit constipation rats by Liqi Tongbian mixture

“…5-hydroxytryptamine, also known as serotonin, is an indole derivative, which can also enhance the contraction of blood vessels and smooth muscles. Kuang et al 15 have demonstrated that the enhancement of 5-HT immunoreactivity is one of the main factors leading to gastrointestinal motility disorder. In this study, the concentrations of 5-HT and NOS1 in intestinal tissues of rats were measured.…”