Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway
Organ failure resulting from excessive inflammation is the leading cause of death in the early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP). The autonomic nervous system was reported to be involved in AP, and the vagus nerve could exert anti-inflammatory effects through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nA...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2021.647647/full |
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| author | Luyao Zhang Zhiyang Wu Jing Zhou Shengfeng Lu Chaofan Wang Yiqiu Xia Hongyan Ren Zhihui Tong Lu Ke Weiqin Li |
| author_facet | Luyao Zhang Zhiyang Wu Jing Zhou Shengfeng Lu Chaofan Wang Yiqiu Xia Hongyan Ren Zhihui Tong Lu Ke Weiqin Li |
| author_sort | Luyao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Organ failure resulting from excessive inflammation is the leading cause of death in the early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP). The autonomic nervous system was reported to be involved in AP, and the vagus nerve could exert anti-inflammatory effects through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) signaling. Acupuncture has been widely used in traditional Asian medicine, and recent studies suggested the inflammation modulating effect of electroacupuncture (EA) might be mediated by the autonomic nervous system. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of EA in AP animal models. Two independent AP mouse models were used, namely, caerulein hyperstimulation and pancreatic duct ligation. We found that EA at Zusanli acupoint increased vagus nerve activity, suppressed systemic inflammation, and alleviated the histopathological manifestations and leukocyte infiltrations of the pancreas. Induction of AP resulted in a remarkable decrease in the frequency of α7nAchR+ macrophages in the pancreas, while EA counteracted this phenomenon. The anti-inflammatory, pancreatic protective and upregulation of α7nAchR effects of EA were reduced in mice with vagotomy. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of EA were attenuated in mice treated with methyllycaconitine citrate, a selective α7nAChR antagonist. Taken together, EA could modulate inflammation, thereby exerting protective effects in AP. The mechanism may include activating the vagus nerve through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:03:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f1b5c7dce4d0402baafab73b53f7639b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-889X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:03:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-f1b5c7dce4d0402baafab73b53f7639b2022-12-21T18:44:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences2296-889X2021-05-01810.3389/fmolb.2021.647647647647Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory PathwayLuyao Zhang0Zhiyang Wu1Jing Zhou2Shengfeng Lu3Chaofan Wang4Yiqiu Xia5Hongyan Ren6Zhihui Tong7Lu Ke8Weiqin Li9Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Southeast University, Nanjing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, ChinaOrgan failure resulting from excessive inflammation is the leading cause of death in the early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP). The autonomic nervous system was reported to be involved in AP, and the vagus nerve could exert anti-inflammatory effects through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) signaling. Acupuncture has been widely used in traditional Asian medicine, and recent studies suggested the inflammation modulating effect of electroacupuncture (EA) might be mediated by the autonomic nervous system. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of EA in AP animal models. Two independent AP mouse models were used, namely, caerulein hyperstimulation and pancreatic duct ligation. We found that EA at Zusanli acupoint increased vagus nerve activity, suppressed systemic inflammation, and alleviated the histopathological manifestations and leukocyte infiltrations of the pancreas. Induction of AP resulted in a remarkable decrease in the frequency of α7nAchR+ macrophages in the pancreas, while EA counteracted this phenomenon. The anti-inflammatory, pancreatic protective and upregulation of α7nAchR effects of EA were reduced in mice with vagotomy. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of EA were attenuated in mice treated with methyllycaconitine citrate, a selective α7nAChR antagonist. Taken together, EA could modulate inflammation, thereby exerting protective effects in AP. The mechanism may include activating the vagus nerve through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2021.647647/fullelectroacupuncturepancreatitisvagus nerveα7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptoranti-inflammation |
| spellingShingle | Luyao Zhang Zhiyang Wu Jing Zhou Shengfeng Lu Chaofan Wang Yiqiu Xia Hongyan Ren Zhihui Tong Lu Ke Weiqin Li Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences electroacupuncture pancreatitis vagus nerve α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor anti-inflammation |
| title | Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway |
| title_full | Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway |
| title_fullStr | Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway |
| title_short | Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Acute Pancreatitis: A Role for the Vagus Nerve–Mediated Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway |
| title_sort | electroacupuncture ameliorates acute pancreatitis a role for the vagus nerve mediated cholinergic anti inflammatory pathway |
| topic | electroacupuncture pancreatitis vagus nerve α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor anti-inflammation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2021.647647/full |
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