Mitigating inflammatory response in breast cancer patients: the inhibitory effect of acupuncture and emotional nursing on the ST8SIA6-AS1/LINC00504/p38 pathway

Abstract

IntroductionBreast cancer patients often suffer from psychological distress such as anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate inflammation and potentially hinder treatment outcomes. This research investigates the effects of emotional nursing combined with acupuncture on inflammation in breast cancer patients diagnosed with liver depression and stagnation.Material and methodsA total of 40 breast cancer patients with liver depression and stagnation were divided into 2 groups: a control group (n = 20) and an observational group (n = 20). The control group was subjected to standard nursing care, whereas the observational group received a synergised regimen of emotional nursing and acupuncture alongside the regular nursing care. Depression and anxiety levels were assessed using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-rated Anxiety Scale (SAS). Inflammatory cytokine levels were analysed using ELISA and Western blot, while cell viability and apoptosis rate in breast cancer cells were assessed through specific assays.ResultsEmotional nursing and acupuncture significantly reduced psychological distress and inflammation. Moreover, a significant reduction in ST8SIA6-AS1 and LINC00504 expression levels in tumour tissues was observed following the emotional nursing and acupuncture intervention – 2 entities known to be elevated in breast cancer scenarios and associated with patient survival. Additionally, this therapy restrained the activation of p38 signalling in breast cancer tumour tissues. Furthermore, the silencing of ST8SIA6-AS1 and LINC00504 dampened IL-6-mediated inflammation in breast cancer cells through the p38 pathway.ConclusionsEmotional nursing and acupuncture potentially reduce inflammation in breast cancer patients with liver depression and stagnation by modulating specific factors and deactivating the p38 pathway.