Protective Effect of Electroacupuncture on Chemotherapy-Induced Salivary Gland Hypofunction in a Mouse Model
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can impair salivary gland (SG) function, which causes xerostomia and exacerbate other side effects of chemotherapy and oral infection, reducing patients’ quality of life. This animal study aimed to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) as a means of preventing...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/14/11654 |
| Summary: | Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can impair salivary gland (SG) function, which causes xerostomia and exacerbate other side effects of chemotherapy and oral infection, reducing patients’ quality of life. This animal study aimed to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) as a means of preventing xerostomia induced by 5−fluorouracil (5−FU). A xerostomia mouse model was induced via four tail vein injections of 5−FU (80 mg/kg/dose). EA was performed at LI4 and LI11 for 7 days. The pilocarpine-stimulated salivary flow rate (SFR) and salivary glands weight (SGW) were recorded. Salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and lysozyme were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SG was collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining to measure acini number and acinar cell size. <i>Tumor necrosis factor</i>-<i>α (TNF</i>-<i>α)</i>, <i>interleukin</i>-<i>1β (IL</i>-<i>1β)</i>, and <i>aquaporin 5 (AQP5)</i> mRNA expressions in SG were quantified via RT-qPCR. 5−FU caused significant decreases in SFR, SGW, SIgA, lysozyme, <i>AQP5</i> expression, and acini number, while <i>TNF-α</i> and <i>IL-1β</i> expressions and acinar cell size were significantly increased. EA treatment can prevent 5−FU damage to the salivary gland, while pilocarpine treatment can only elevate SFR and AQP5 expression. These findings provide significant evidence to support the use of EA as an alternative treatment for chemotherapy-induced salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia. |
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| ISSN: | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |