Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Deregulation of Inflammation-Related Proteins in Acupuncture-Treated Rats with Asthma Onset

Abstract

Although the beneficial effects of acupuncture in asthma treatment have been well documented, little is known regarding the biological basis of this treatment. Changes in the lung proteome of acupuncture-treated rats with asthma onset were comparatively analyzed using a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and mass-spectrometry- (MS-) based proteomic approach. Acupuncture on specific acupuncture points appeared to improve respiratory function and reduce the total number of leukocytes and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in OVA-induced asthma onset. Image analysis of 2DE gels revealed 32 differentially expressed acupuncture-specific protein spots in asthma onset; 30 of which were successfully identified as 28 unique proteins using LC-MS/MS. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that these altered proteins are most likely involved in inflammation-related biological functions, and the functional associations of these proteins result in an inflammation signaling pathway. Acupuncture regulates the pathway at different levels by regulating several key nodal proteins, including downregulating of proinflammatory proteins (e.g., S100A8, RAGE, and S100A11) and upregulating of anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., CC10, ANXA5, and sRAGE). These deregulated inflammation-related proteins may mediate, at least in part, the antiasthmatic effect of acupuncture. Further functional investigation of these acupuncture-specific effector proteins could identify new drug candidates for the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma.

Efficacy of acupuncture for chronic asthma: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Compared to previous RCTs of acupuncture in treating asthma [ 38 ], the strengths of our trial are that it is multi-center, with strictly concealed randomization, rigorous blinding, large sample size, and proper selection of ACT and AQLQ for evaluating acupuncture efficacy. The acupoints GV14 ( Da Zhui ), BL12 ( Feng Men ), BL13 ( Fei Shu ) were selected based on the theory of TCM and were popularly used in treating asthma in China [ 20 ], which also had supports from our biological studies [ 37 , 40 ]. For the sham acupuncture, irrelevant acupoints were used with the same manipulation as the verum group.…”

Non-specific physiological background effects of acupuncture revealed by proteomic analysis in normal rats

“…Acupuncture regulates autonomic nerve system functions (e.g., modulates blood pressure, heart rate, and sphincter intensity) [ 11 , 12 ], immune system and inflammatory pathways [ 13 , 14 ], and endocrine system functions, such as the release of endorphins [ 15 ] and NO [ 16 ], under different pathological conditions. However, few acupuncture studies focus on the physiological processes of this practice on healthy bodies, in which the functions of organs, tissues and cells are relatively balanced.…”

Cupping: a reasonable choice for attenuating morphine withdrawal symptoms in Wistar rats

“…Based on the results of the previous studies on needle acupuncture. 14,15 and as it is shown in the images 1, the GV14 acupuncture point (between C7 and T1 vertebrate) was subjected to cupping ( Figure 2). …”