Electroacupuncture Orchestrates Intestinal Flora Remodeling: A Step Forward in Alleviating High Salt-Induced...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Microbiome Research
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• High-salt diets are a significant risk factor for vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.
• Gut microbiota dysbiosis is increasingly recognized as a contributor to salt-induced pathologies.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional therapy with potential benefits for various health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of EA on high-salt diet-induced vascular dysfunction in rats.
• To explore the role of gut microbiota modulation in EA's mechanism of action.
• To identify specific microbial changes associated with EA treatment and vascular health.

Main Methods:

• Induction of a "high-salt blood stasis syndrome" model in Wistar rats using 12% NaCl.
• Application of 20-minute EA stimulation at BL23 and KI3 acupoints.
• Assessment of vascular function through coagulation tests, hemorheological analysis, and histopathology.
• Analysis of gut microbiota composition using 16S rDNA sequencing.

Main Results:

• Chronic high-salt intake led to increased blood viscosity, damaged vascular endothelium, and gut microbial dysbiosis.
• EA treatment significantly reversed these pathological changes, restoring vascular function.
• Specific gut bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, were identified as key players, correlating with improved blood viscosity.

Conclusions:

• EA therapy demonstrates significant potential in reversing high-salt diet-induced vasculopathy.
• EA's therapeutic effects are likely mediated through the regulation of gut microbiota involved in bile acid and short-chain fatty acid metabolism.
• This study highlights the intricate link between diet, gut microbiota, and cardiovascular health, with EA as a promising intervention.