Acupuncture targeting and regulating multiple signaling pathways related to Zusanli acupoint using iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis

Acupuncture has recently gained increased attention in the world as an alternative treatment for diseases, but its metabolism pathways remain understood. Here we use proteomic technology to determine subtle protein changes and link proteins to metabolism pathways. iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics was used to identify key proteins for acupuncture at ‘Zusanli’ acupoint (ST-36) in subjects. A total of seven related proteins were identified, and these candidates may be useful to clarify the biological mechanism of acupuncture at ST-36. Pathway analysis further revealed that most of these proteins were found to play a pivotal role in the regulation of multiple metabolism pathways.