Moxibustion exhibits therapeutic effects on spinal cord injury via modulating microbiota dysbiosis and macrophage polarization

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to study the effect of moxibustion (MOX) on microbiota dysbiosis and macrophage polarization, so as to unveil the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of MOX in the management of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI animal models were established to study the effect of MOX. Accordingly, it was found that MOX treatment significantly suppressed the Ace index and Shannon index in the SCI group. Moreover, the reduced relative levels of Lactobacillales and Bifidobacteriales and the elevated relative level of Clostridiales in the SCI animals were mitigated by the treatment of MOX. The body weight, food intake, energy expenditure (EE) index and respiratory quotient (RQ) index of SCI mice were all evidently decreased, but the levels of interleukin (IL)-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-1β were increased in the SCI group. Moreover, MOX treatment significantly mitigated the dysregulation of above factors in SCI mice. Accordingly, we found that the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) score was negatively correlated with the level of Clostridiales while positively correlated with the level of Lactobacillales. The apoptotic index and caspase-3 level were both evidently increased in the SCI group, while the SCI+MOX group showed reduced levels of apoptotic index and caspase-3. Therefore, it can be concluded that the treatment with MOX can promote microbiota dysbiosis and macrophage polarization, thus alleviating spinal cord injury by downregulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Comprehensive landscape of immune-based classifier related to early diagnosis and macrophage M1 in spinal cord injury

“…Macrophages as an element of the immune network possess a high level of plasticity. Under the stimulation of inflammatory factors, macrophages can polarize into M1 and M2 phenotypes, each exhibiting proinflammatory, and anti-inflammatory effects resulting in a dual immune response to SCI, as well as cytotoxic and neuroprotective effects [24][25][26][27]. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the contribution of the immune response and immune microenvironment in SCI.…”

Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for cognitive impairment: the microbiome–gut–brain axis and its role

“…Studies have shown that EA at ST36, LI11, and ST25 can upregulate IL-10 by increasing levels of CD3 + CD4+ T cells and Treg cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and downregulate the levels of Th17 cells and TNF-α to suppress intestinal inflammation ( Xie et al, 2020 ). Previous studies also demonstrated that moxibustion could inhibit chemotaxis and cell migration into inflamed tissues by promoting neutrophil apoptosis ( Wang, 2012 ) and downregulating cytokines ( Zhang et al, 2022 ), such as IL-1β, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, to improve inflammatory status and memory impairments. Moreover, moxibustion could regulate the colonic immune response by inhibiting TNFα and IL12 expression in the colon tissues of UC rats ( Qi et al, 2018 ).…”

An inhibitor of claudin-5 interactions, M01, alleviates neuroinflammation and vasogenic edema after blood–spinal cord barrier dysfunction

“…A contusion SCI model was established with a 20 g × 3 cm force using the modified Allen's method and a contusion SCI device [11]. After adequate hemostasis [12][13], the muscle layer, subcutaneous tissue, and skin were sutured layer by layer [14,15]. Manual bladder expression was performed daily until the function of the bladder detrusor was restored.…”