This blog is to share the latest research and development of acupuncture and raise the awareness of alternative treatments for your conditions, and is for information only.

Wednesday, 22 March 2017

Mechanism of electroacupuncture-induced tissue repair

Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at some immune acupoints such as L14, LI11, DU20, DU14, ST36 and LV3 in both humans and rats activated hypothalamus and enhanced sympathetic nervous system (SNY) function, leading to mobilization of mesenchyals stem cells (MSC). EA-induced mobilization of circulating MSC increased anti-inflammation products; markedly reduced pain sensitivity and enhanced tissue repair. The study was published in journal of Stem Cells recently.

Recently a collaboration of acupuncture study by many research groups in the United States investigated the mechanism responsible for the beneficial systemic effects and healing associated with acupuncture in both humans and models.

First, the fMRI studies in both humans and models found that EA stimulation at L14, LI11, DU20, DU14 acupoints increased functional connectivity between the anterior hypothalamus and the amygdala and mobilized MSC into the systemic circulation. MSC were characterized as adipocyte-derived MSC in human, whereas, MSC were considered more heterogeneous in models.

Then, Pharmacological disinhibition of model hypothalamus by administration of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline enhanced SNS activation and similarly resulted in a release of MSC into the circulation.

Finally, in models with partial rupture of the Achilles tendon, EA stimulation reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, increased anti-inflammation products such as serum IL10 and enhanced tendon remodelling and tissue repair.

The study suggested that EA may serve as way of facilitating tissue repair following by supplying high level of circulating MSC into the circulation and could be used to treat acute or chronic conditions associated with inflammation.

 Reference
Salazar TE et al., Electroacupuncture Promotes CNS-Dependent Release of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Stem Cells. 2017 Mar 16. doi: 10.1002/stem.2613.     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28299842

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