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Electro-acupuncture at 'Neiguan' (PC6) attenuates liver injury in endotoxaemic rats
Hwan-Wun Liu1, Mou-Chuan Liu, Cheng-Ming Tsao
1Department of Occupational Medicine, Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, and Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
Background:
Intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates macrophages to release proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). This results in hypotension, vascular hyporeactivity and multiple organ failure (eg, liver injury) in rats. In rats with endotoxin shock, electro-acupuncture (EA) of 'Neiguan' (PC6) retrieved blood pressure and reduced plasma concentrations of NO. The authors evaluated whether EA at PC6 could alleviate the development of liver injury and dysfunction in endotoxic rats.
Methods:
A total of 28 male adult Wistar rats were included in this study. Rats received intravenous LPS (10 mg/kg for 4 h) or saline for 4 h followed by EA at PC6 acupuncture point.
Results:
Elevated biochemical parameters of liver injury and marked infiltration of neutrophils into liver tissues caused by LPS were significantly attenuated by EA. However, hypotension, tachycardia and raised production of plasma NO were not suppressed by EA at PC6.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that EA at PC6 should be further investigated as a possible adjuvant therapy for endotoxin-induced liver dysfunction. Its mechanism of action needs further investigation.
Insights
Electro-acupuncture (EA) at the PC6 acupoint mitigated liver injury in endotoxin shock rats by reducing inflammation. However, EA did not improve blood pressure or nitric oxide levels, suggesting a targeted benefit for liver dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Immunology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection induces inflammation, organ damage, and hypotension in rats.
- Endotoxin shock, characterized by LPS, leads to significant liver injury and dysfunction.
- Electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan (PC6) acupoint has shown potential in managing endotoxemia symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of EA at the PC6 acupoint in mitigating liver injury and dysfunction in a rat model of endotoxin shock.
- To assess the impact of EA on biochemical markers of liver damage and neutrophil infiltration.
- To evaluate EA's effect on systemic parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and nitric oxide production.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were administered intravenous LPS (10 mg/kg) or saline for 4 hours.
- Electro-acupuncture (EA) was applied to the PC6 acupoint in the treatment group.
- Liver injury markers, neutrophil infiltration, blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma nitric oxide were assessed.
Main Results:
- EA at PC6 significantly reduced elevated liver injury biochemical parameters caused by LPS.
- EA treatment markedly attenuated neutrophil infiltration into liver tissues.
- EA at PC6 did not suppress LPS-induced hypotension, tachycardia, or increased plasma nitric oxide levels.
Conclusions:
- EA at the PC6 acupoint shows promise as an adjunctive therapy for endotoxin-induced liver dysfunction.
- The specific mechanisms by which EA exerts its protective effects on the liver require further investigation.
- EA's targeted effect on liver injury, without systemic hemodynamic improvement, warrants further study.