Influence of warm acupuncture on gut microbiota and metabolites in rats with insomnia induced by PCPA
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Published on: December 22, 2016
Hong Yu1,2, Hui Yu3, Lengge Si4
1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Background:
Insomnia is the most common of the sleep disorders. Current pharmacotherapy treatment options are usually associated with adverse effects and withdrawal phenomena. Therapeutic alternatives with a more favorable safety profile for patients are needed. Mongolian medical warm acupuncture (MMWA) is an emerging therapeutic option for treating insomnia. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the anti-insomnia efficacy of the MMWA remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of the MMWA on the alterations of the gut microbiota and serum metabolome in rats with insomnia.
Results:
We found that the relative abundances of gut bacteria and the concentrations of several serum metabolites were obviously altered in PCPA-induced insomnia rats. The MMWA treatment exerted an anti-insomnia effect. In addition, the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and the serum metabolites were ameliorated by the MMWA. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and metabolites suggested that the levels of Amide c18, Benzoyl chloride, Cytosine, and N, n-dimethylarginine were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Clostridium XlVa and Blautia, which characterized the insomnia rats. KEGG enrichment analysis identified the cAMP signaling pathway involving anti-insomnia effect of the MMWA. Moreover, the MMWA intervention significantly increased contents of butyrate in feces, while effectively inhibited the expression level of GAT-1 in brain tissues.
Conclusion:
This study reveals that the MMWA intervention might have a major impact on the modulation of host gut microbiota and metabolites, which in turn have a crucial role in the regulation of the host's signaling pathways associated with insomnia. The present study could provide useful ideas for the study of the intervention mechanisms of the MMWA in insomnia rat models.
Insights
Mongolian medical warm acupuncture (MMWA) effectively treats insomnia by modulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites. This study reveals MMWA
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Microbiome Research
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder with limited safe pharmacotherapy options.
- Current treatments often cause adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms.
- Novel therapeutic strategies with improved safety profiles are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanistic effects of Mongolian medical warm acupuncture (MMWA) on gut microbiota and serum metabolome in an insomnia rat model.
- To explore the potential of MMWA as a safe alternative for insomnia treatment.
- To elucidate the relationship between gut microbiome, metabolites, and insomnia.
Main Methods:
- Induction of insomnia in rats using parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA).
- Administration of MMWA treatment to the insomnia model.
- Analysis of gut microbiota composition and serum metabolomic profiles.
- Correlation analysis between microbiota and metabolites, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.
Main Results:
- PCPA-induced insomnia altered gut bacteria and serum metabolites.
- MMWA treatment demonstrated anti-insomnia effects and ameliorated gut dysbiosis and metabolic alterations.
- Specific metabolites (e.g., Amide c18) and bacteria (e.g., Clostridium XlVa) were correlated with insomnia.
- MMWA increased fecal butyrate and inhibited brain GAT-1 expression, implicating the cAMP signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- MMWA intervention significantly modulates host gut microbiota and metabolites.
- These modulations play a crucial role in regulating signaling pathways associated with insomnia.
- The findings provide insights into the intervention mechanisms of MMWA for insomnia.
