Influence of warm acupuncture on gut microbiota and metabolites in rats with insomnia induced by PCPA

Abstract

Background Insomnia is the most common of the sleep disorders. Current pharmacotherapy treatment options are usually associated with adverse effects and withdrawal phenomena. Therapeutic alternatives with a more favorable safety profile for patients are needed. Mongolian medical warm acupuncture (MMWA) is an emerging therapeutic option for treating insomnia. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the anti-insomnia efficacy of the MMWA remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of the MMWA on the alterations of the gut microbiota and serum metabolome in rats with insomnia. Results We found that the relative abundances of gut bacteria and the concentrations of several serum metabolites were obviously altered in PCPA-induced insomnia rats. The MMWA treatment exerted an anti-insomnia effect. In addition, the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and the serum metabolites were ameliorated by the MMWA. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and metabolites suggested that the levels of Amide c18, Benzoyl chloride, Cytosine, and N, n-dimethylarginine were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Clostridium XlVa and Blautia, which characterized the insomnia rats. KEGG enrichment analysis identified the cAMP signaling pathway involving anti-insomnia effect of the MMWA. Moreover, the MMWA intervention significantly increased contents of butyrate in feces, while effectively inhibited the expression level of GAT-1 in brain tissues. Conclusion This study reveals that the MMWA intervention might have a major impact on the modulation of host gut microbiota and metabolites, which in turn have a crucial role in the regulation of the host’s signaling pathways associated with insomnia. The present study could provide useful ideas for the study of the intervention mechanisms of the MMWA in insomnia rat models.

The effects of acupuncture on sleep disorders and its underlying mechanism: a literature review of rodent studies

“…The anti-insomnia effect of MMWA has been observed in rats with insomnia as MMWA treatment decreased ACh and NE levels and increased 5-HT and GABA levels in the serum. The gut microbiota improved, and cAMP and GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) levels in the brain stem were reduced ( Yu et al, 2022 ).…”

Effect of summer acupoint application treatment (SAAT) on gut microbiota in healthy Asian adults: A randomized controlled trial

“…[44] The results of Yu et al also suggested that warm acupuncture could regulate a variety of microbial genera and metabolites related to insomnia, including Blautia , reversing the butyrate-mediated upregulation of the cAMP signaling pathway and GAT-1 expression. [45] Collectively, this study is among the very few suggesting that SAAT could modulate the intestinal microbiota and serve as a measure to prevent inflammation and metabolism-associated diseases, whereas the mechanisms underlying SAAT regulating the intestinal microflora remain to be elucidated.…”

Network meta-analysis of acupuncture for tinnitus

“…[ 28 ] Studies have suggested that the warm acupuncture intervention could regulate a variety of microbial genera and metabolites related to insomnia. [ 29 ] Other studies have shown that warm acupuncture can improve brain neurotransmitters in people with insomnia. [ 30 ] Therefore, warm acupuncture may work indirectly by improving sleep, but the mechanism needs to be further studied.…”