[Clinical efficacy of acupuncture on mild cognitive impairment and its effect on gut microbiota]

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its effect on gut microbiota.

A total of 62 MCI patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (31 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (31 cases). Both groups received exercise and cognitive training. In addition, the experimental group underwent acupuncture treatment at acupoints including Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), and bilateral Fengchi (GB20), Xuanzhong (GB39), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglao (SI6), Xinshu (BL15), and etc., once every other day, three times per week, for a total of 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores were evaluated in the two groups, changes in gut microbiota were detected using 16S rDNA sequencing technology. The clinical efficacy was assessed after treatment.

Compared before treatment, MoCA and MMSE scores were increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.001), with higher scores in the experimental group than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After treatment, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, Clostridia, and Ruminococcaceae was increased in the experimental group compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Faecalibacterium in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 82.8% (24/29) in the experimental group, which was higher than 61.3% (19/31) in the control group (P<0.05).

Acupuncture could improve cognitive dysfunction in patients with MCI, and its mechanism may be related to increasing the relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Clostridia, and Ruminococcaceae, maintaining the intestinal barrier, and inhibiting related inflammatory responses.