Activating the vagus nerve-adrenal anti-inflammatory axis to delay aging: A randomized controlled trial protocol

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Regenerative Medicine
• Integrative and Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Aging is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, with limited effective interventions.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) identifies ST36 (Zusanli) acupuncture as beneficial for longevity and health preservation.
• Preclinical data suggest ST36 acupuncture impacts inflammation and oxidative stress, but clinical validation is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of ST36 acupuncture in delaying biological aging.
• To assess the potential of ST36 acupuncture in preventing age-related diseases.
• To explore ST36 acupuncture's impact on aging biomarkers and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A single-center, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial involving 120 healthy participants (aged 45-70).
• Three groups: manual acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and blank control, with 36 sessions over 12 weeks.
• Primary outcomes: aging biomarkers (DNA methylation, cytokines) and biological age estimation via imaging; Secondary outcomes: quality of life (SF-36) and sleep quality (PSQI).

Main Results:

• Data collection and analysis are ongoing.
• Results will be reported upon study completion.

Conclusions:

• This trial aims to provide clinical evidence for the anti-aging effects of ST36 acupuncture.
• Findings may support the integration of ST36 acupuncture into preventive healthcare strategies for healthy longevity.
• Results could inform global approaches to managing aging challenges.