Electroacupuncture-Medication Combined Therapy Improves Sepsis Outcomes by Regulating PVN Neuronal Activities

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Acupuncture Research

Background:

• Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality in intensive care units.
• Existing treatments have limitations in managing sepsis effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Shenshu (BL23) acupoint combined with antibiotics in sepsis.
• To elucidate the neuroimmune mechanisms underlying this combined therapy.

Main Methods:

• A cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced murine sepsis model was utilized.
• Systemic inflammation, intestinal damage, neuronal activation (c-Fos), and serum catecholamines were assessed.
• Chemogenetic modulation of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons was performed.

Main Results:

• Combined EA and antibiotic therapy significantly improved survival and reduced weight loss in sepsis models.
• The treatment lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines and intestinal inflammation.
• EA modulated PVN activity, suppressing corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons and activating oxytocin (OXT) neurons, leading to increased catecholamines and reduced inflammation.

Conclusions:

• Electroacupuncture at BL23 enhances antibiotic efficacy in sepsis through a novel neuroimmunological pathway involving the PVN.
• This modulation of CRH and OXT neurons facilitates systemic inflammation control via catecholamine secretion.
• Findings support EA as a potential noninvasive adjunctive therapy for sepsis in critical care.