Electroacupuncture Alleviates Bladder Overactivity via Inhabiting Bladder P2X₃ Receptor

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Neuroscience
• Acupuncture Research

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition with unclear underlying mechanisms.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) is a potential treatment for OAB, but its mechanism requires elucidation.
• Purinergic signaling, particularly involving P2X3 receptors, plays a role in bladder function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of purinergic signaling, specifically P2X3 receptors, in the mechanism of EA for treating OAB in rats.
• To determine if EA affects P2X3 receptor expression and function in the context of OAB.

Main Methods:

• Ovine model of OAB was established in rats.
• EA was applied to Ciliao (BL32) and Huiyang (BL35) points.
• P2X3 receptor antagonist (AF-353) was administered intravenously.
• Urination, bladder volume, and micturition pressure were measured.
• P2X3 mRNA, protein expression, and positive cell count were analyzed in the bladder, spinal cord (L6-S1), and dorsal root ganglia (DRG, L6-S1).

Main Results:

• Intravenous administration of P2X3 antagonist AF-353 significantly inhibited urination and increased bladder volume and micturition pressure in both naive and OAB rats.
• EA stimulation significantly alleviated bladder overactivity.
• Blocking P2X3 receptors with AF-353 weakened the therapeutic effect of EA.
• EA stimulation reduced P2X3 mRNA and protein expression and the number of positive P2X3 cells in the bladder, spinal cord, and DRG of OAB rats.

Conclusions:

• EA stimulation effectively alleviates bladder overactivity in a rat model of OAB.
• The mechanism of EA in treating OAB is closely associated with the inhibition of P2X3 receptors.
• Targeting P2X3 receptors represents a potential therapeutic strategy for OAB treatment using EA.