Electroacupuncture Alleviates Functional Constipation in Mice by Activating Enteric Glial Cell Autophagy via...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Autophagy Research
• Neurogastroenterology

Background:

• Functional constipation (FC) is a common disorder affecting gastrointestinal motility.
• Autophagy plays a role in regulating cellular functions, including those in the gut.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) is a potential therapeutic modality for gastrointestinal disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the autophagy-related mechanisms underlying EA's efficacy in improving gastrointestinal motility in a mouse model of FC.
• To investigate the role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in EA's effects on FC.

Main Methods:

• A mouse model of functional constipation was established using diphenoxylate.
• Mice received EA stimulation at specific acupoints (Tianshu and Shangjuxu).
• Intestinal transit, colonic autophagy markers (LC3, Beclin-1), and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway were assessed. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used to confirm EA's mechanism.

Main Results:

• EA significantly improved intestinal transit and fecal parameters in FC mice.
• EA upregulated autophagy markers LC3 and Beclin-1 in colonic tissues.
• EA inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and promoted autophagy in enteric glial cells (EGCs).
• The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA reversed the beneficial effects of EA.

Conclusions:

• EA treatment enhances gastrointestinal motility in FC mice by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
• This inhibition promotes autophagy in EGCs, representing a key mechanism for EA's therapeutic action.
• EA offers a promising therapeutic strategy for functional constipation through modulation of autophagy.