Effect of Acupuncture Stimulation on Improving the Immunity of Synovial Tissue in Rheumatoid Joints via MAPK Pathway

IF 0.2 4区医学 Q4 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research Pub Date : 2021-01-01 DOI:10.3727/036012921x16287835103462

Yunxi He, Yiyan Zhang, Yiqiang Zhou, Xiaoxiang Lin, Zhu-jia Zheng, Jin Wen, Jinchun Chen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: Acupuncture treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a long history and has been widely recognized in the medical community. However, its mechanism of action still is rarely uncovered. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on the immune function and MAPK pathway in synovial tissue of rats with RA were investigated; it aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture on alleviating RA. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into control, model and acupuncture groups, 15 rats each group, and RA rat model was induced via bovine type II collagen in complete Freund’s adjuvant. The acupuncture group received "Zusanli" and "Shenshu" warm acupuncture treatment on the first day after modeling, acupuncture stimulation once a day for 21 days. The rat weight and degree of joint swelling were recorded and calculated. The ankle joint histopathology was observed by H&E staining. Serum inflammatory cytokines were detected using ELISA. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to test serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels. Transcription factors T-bet, GATA3, RORγT, Foxp3 mRNA were monitored through RT-qPCR technology. Further, the expression of key targets of MAPK signal or phosphorylation in synovial tissue were determined using Western blotting. Results: Acupuncture relieved the joint swelling and weight loss of RA rats, ameliorated the pathological damage of the ankle joint, significantly increased the serum IgG, IgM, IgA and T-bet, and Foxp3 levels, and reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, GATA3, and RORγT; down-regulated synovial tissue p-p38MAPK, p-JNK, and p-ERK1/2 levels and protein phosphorylation ratio (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture stimulation can improve the joint damage and promote the immune function of RA rats, possibly via blocking the expression of MAPK pathway in synovial tissue. This study provides a scientific and promising reference for acupuncture further in the clinical strategy of RA.

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针刺刺激通过MAPK通路提高类风湿关节滑膜组织免疫力的作用

目的:针灸治疗类风湿关节炎(RA)历史悠久，已被医学界广泛认可。然而，其作用机制仍然很少被揭示。本研究探讨针刺对类风湿关节炎大鼠免疫功能及滑膜组织MAPK通路的影响;目的探讨针刺对类风湿关节炎的缓解作用及机制。方法:将大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和针刺组，每组15只大鼠，用牛ⅱ型胶原在完全弗氏佐剂中诱导RA大鼠模型。针刺组在造模后第1天给予足三里、肾俞温针治疗，针刺刺激每天1次，连用21 d。记录并计算大鼠体重和关节肿胀程度。采用H&E染色观察大鼠踝关节组织病理学。ELISA法检测血清炎症因子。全自动生化分析仪检测血清IgG、IgM、IgA水平。RT-qPCR技术检测转录因子T-bet、GATA3、RORγT、Foxp3 mRNA。此外，使用Western blotting检测滑膜组织中MAPK信号或磷酸化关键靶点的表达。结果:针刺能减轻RA大鼠关节肿胀和体重减轻，改善踝关节病理性损伤，显著提高血清IgG、IgM、IgA、T-bet、Foxp3水平，降低IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、GATA3、RORγT水平;下调滑膜组织P - p38mapk、P - jnk、P - erk1 /2水平及蛋白磷酸化比率(P<0.05)。结论:针刺刺激可改善RA大鼠关节损伤，提高其免疫功能，可能通过阻断滑膜组织MAPK通路的表达来实现。本研究为进一步针灸治疗类风湿性关节炎的临床策略提供了科学和有希望的参考。

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来源期刊

Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research 医学-全科医学与补充医学

CiteScore

0.50

自引率

66.70%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： The aim of the journal is to provide an international forum for the exchange of ideas and promotion of basic and clinical research in acupuncture, electro-therapeutics, and related fields. The journal was established in order to make acupuncture and electro-therapeutics a universally acceptable branch of medicine through multidisciplinary research based on scientific disciplines. The final goal is to provide a better understanding of both the beneficial and adverse effects of these treatments in order to supplement or improve existing methods of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in both Western and Oriental medicine.