Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Acupuncture in a Rat Model of Asthma
Published on: August 25, 2020
Serum from acupuncture-treated asthmatic rats regulates p38-MAPK activation in airway smooth muscle cells
Yueyue Yu1, Jianmei Cui1, Na Sun1
1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology 21 Bohai Road, Caofeidian Xincheng, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the regulation function of acupuncture on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) of asthmatic rats.
Methods:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were challenged using inhalational Ovalbumin (OVA) to establish an asthma model. The acupuncture points (GV14 for Dazhui, bilateral BL12 for Fengmen, and bilateral BL13 for Feishu) were stimulated for asthma relief. The ASMCs isolated from asthmatic rats were incubated in medium containing the serum obtained from asthmatic rats treated with acupuncture. The expression levels of p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK were determined by immunocytochemical and western blot.
Results:
ASMCs were successfully isolated and cultured. The 20% acupuncture treatment of asthmatic rat serum had the least effect on the proliferation ability of asthmatic ASMCs. The serum from asthmatic rats treated with acupuncture could decrease the expression of p-p38 MAPK in asthmatic rat ASMCs.
Conclusions:
The serum from acupuncture-treated asthmatic rats has an effect on treating asthma in rats, and the mechanism of action may be by regulating the p38 pathway.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:

