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Electroacupuncturing at Zusanli point (ST36) attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine release and organ dysfunction by
Qi Song1, Sen Hu2, Haibin Wang2
1The Oncotherapy center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853 PRC.
Background:
It is considered that the pathogenesis is closely related to an excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by bacterial toxins and an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators.
Materials And Methods:
This work investigates the effect of electro-acupuncturing (EA), at Zusanli point (ST36) on plasma cytokine release and organ dysfunction and their mechanism in conscious rats with endotoxin challenge.
Results:
EA at Zusanli points obviously lowered the elevated levels of plasma TNF-α, and attenuated changes in parameters relevant to various organ functions at 2 h after LPS challenge. α-BGT injection or bilateral cervical vagotomy could weaken or eliminate the effects of EA, and further aggravated the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and organ dysfunction.
Conclusion:
The results suggested that EA at Zusanli points significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and organ dysfunction after LPS challenge by activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
