Urinary Metabolomics Study on Acupuncture plus Wet Cupping Therapy for Post-Stroke Depression: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Metabolomics
• Neuroscience
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication following stroke.
• Urinary metabolomics offers a non-invasive approach to understand the biological underpinnings of PSD.
• Acupuncture plus wet cupping (AC) is a therapeutic modality used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate urinary metabolomics alterations in patients with PSD treated with AC therapy.
• To compare the metabolic profiles of AC therapy, acupuncture alone, and healthy controls.
• To correlate metabolic changes with clinical improvements in PSD.

Main Methods:

• 40 PSD patients were randomized into AC or acupuncture (Acu) groups.
• Urine samples were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks for GC-MS analysis.
• Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 items (HAMD-24).

Main Results:

• AC therapy significantly reduced HAMD-24 scores compared to the Acu group (P<0.01).
• 21 differential metabolites distinguished healthy volunteers from untreated PSD patients, with caffeine metabolism significantly altered.
• AC therapy altered 33 metabolites, significantly impacting starch and sucrose metabolism; 13 metabolites differed between AC and Acu groups, with tyrosine metabolism most affected.

Conclusions:

• Caffeine metabolism differentiates healthy individuals from PSD patients.
• AC therapy improves PSD clinical symptoms and is associated with significant alterations in starch/sucrose and tyrosine metabolism.
• Tyrosine metabolism may be a key pathway differentiating AC therapy from acupuncture alone, suggesting potential mechanisms involving energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis.