Gut microbiota contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in atopic dermatitis

The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a central regulator of immune homeostasis, metabolic balance, and therapeutic outcomes. Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disease, is closely linked to gut microbial dysbiosis. Traditionally regarded as a neurostimulatory therapy, acupuncture (Acu) has demonstrated increasing efficacy in alleviating AD symptoms and improving gastrointestinal function. These observations suggest that the therapeutic effects of Acu in AD may be mediated, in part, by modulation of the gut microbiome. In this study, AD patients were stratified into responder (R) and non-responder (NR) groups based on clinical improvement. Gut microbiome profiling revealed that R patients exhibited greater microbial diversity and compositional stability, indicative of a more balanced gut ecosystem. Specific taxa, including Alistipes ihumii and Odoribacter splanchnicus, were enriched in R individuals and may serve as microbial predictors of treatment responsiveness. Importantly, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from R donors restored Acu efficacy in a mouse model of AD, whereas FMT from NR donors did not. These findings support the gut-skin axis and highlight the integral role of the gut microbiome in mediating the therapeutic effects of Acu for AD, suggesting potential for microbiome-based personalized treatment.

Increasing evidence supports the gut microbiome's role in modulating treatment responses in atopic dermatitis (AD), but direct evidence linking acupuncture efficacy with microbiome composition has been lacking. Previous studies did not assess causal relationships via fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) or functional metagenomics. This study identifies specific gut microbes associated with acupuncture response in AD and confirms their causal role using FMT. It also links functional metabolic pathways to therapeutic efficacy, offering a mechanism-based insight. Our findings support microbiome-informed personalized acupuncture approaches for AD and suggest gut microbiota as a therapeutic modulator in neuroimmune regulation.

This study was registered in the Korean Clinical Trial Registry (CRIS, registration number: KCT0005422).