Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Comprehensive evaluation of gene expression signatures in response to electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint by transcriptomic analysis

Authors: Jing-Shan Wu, Hsin-Yi Lo, Chia-Cheng Li, Feng-Yuan Chen, Chien-Yun Hsiang, Tin-Yun Ho

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been applied to treat and prevent diseases for years. However, molecular events happened in both the acupunctured site and the internal organs after EA stimulation have not been clarified.

Methods

Here we applied transcriptomic analysis to explore the gene expression signatures after EA stimulation. Mice were applied EA stimulation at ST36 for 15 min and nine tissues were collected three hours later for microarray analysis.

Results

We found that EA affected the expression of genes not only in the acupunctured site but also in the internal organs. EA commonly affected biological networks involved in cytoskeleton and cell adhesion, and also regulated unique process networks in specific organs, such as γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmission in brain and inflammation process in lung. In addition, EA affected the expression of genes related to various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases in brain and obstructive pulmonary diseases in lung.

Conclusions

This report applied, for the first time, a global comprehensive genome-wide approach to analyze the gene expression profiling of acupunctured site and internal organs after EA stimulation. The connection between gene expression signatures, biological processes, and diseases might provide a basis for prediction and explanation on the therapeutic potentials of acupuncture in organs.
Literature
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gao YH, Li CW, Wang JY, Kan Y, Tan LH, Jing XH, Liu JL. Activation of hippocampal MEK1 contributes to the cumulative antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture in neuropathic pain rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:517.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
5.
Cha M, Chae Y, Bai SJ, Lee BH. Spatiotemporal changes of optical signals in the somatosensory cortex of neuropathic rats after electroacupuncture stimulation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17:33.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
6.
Xu F, Tan Y, Huang Z, Zhang N, Xu Y, Yin J. Ameliorating effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on impaired gastric accommodation in patients with postprandial distress syndrome-predominant functional dyspepsia: a pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:168252.PubMedPubMedCentral
7.
Zhang N, Huang Z, Xu F, Xu Y, Chen J, Yin J, Lin L, Chen JD. Transcutaneous neuromodulation at posterior tibial nerve and ST36 for chronic constipation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:560802.PubMedPubMedCentral
8.
Lima JW, Hentschke VS, Rossato DD, Quagliotto E, Pinheiro L, Almeida E Jr, Dal Lago P, Lukrafka JL. Chronic electroacupuncture of the ST36 point improves baroreflex function and haemodynamic parameters in heart failure rats. Auton Neurosci. 2015;193:31–7.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Huo ZJ, Li Q, Tian GH, Zhou CM, Wei XH, Pan CS, Yang L, Bai Y, Zhang YY, He K, Wang CS, Li ZG, Han JY. The ameliorating effects of long-term electroacupuncture on cardiovascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14:118.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
Lin JG, Lo MW, Wen YR, Hsieh CL, Tsai SK, Sun WZ. The effect of high and low frequency electroacupuncture in pain after lower abdominal surgery. Pain. 2002;99:509–14.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Li C, Ji BU, Kim Y, Lee JE, Kim NK, Kim ST, Koo S. Electroacupuncture enhances the antiallodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of milnacipran in neuropathic rats. Anesth Analg. 2016;122:1654–62.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Yang G, Hu RY, Deng AJ, Huang Y, Li J. Effects of electro-acupuncture at Zusanli, Guanyuan for sepsis patients and its mechanism through immune regulation. Chin J Integr Med. 2016;22:219–24.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Yu ZG, Wang RG, Xiao C, Zhao JY, Shen Q, Liu SY, Xu QW, Zhang QX, Wang YT. Effects of Zusanli and Ashi acupoint electroacupuncture on repair of skeletal muscle and neuromuscular junction in a rabbit gastrocnemius contusion model. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7074563.PubMedPubMedCentral
14.
Zhu MF, Xing X, Lei S, Wu JN, Wang LC, Huang LQ, Jiang RL. Electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanli points (ST36) protects intestinal mucosal immune barrier in sepsis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:639412.PubMedPubMedCentral
15.
Cheng K, Qin Z, Wang J, Zhai L. Lower He-sea sequence and indication specificity analysis regarding Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2015;35:1167–70.PubMed
16.
Chou ST, Hsiang CY, Lo HY, Huang HF, Lai MT, Hsieh CL, Chiang SY, Ho TY. Exploration of anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of Zuo-Jin-Wan and its alkaloid components in vitro and in orthotopic HepG2 xenograft immunocompetent mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17:121.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
Chou ST, Lo HY, Li CC, Cheng LC, Chou PC, Lee YC, Ho TY, Hsiang CY. Exploring the effect and mechanism of Hibiscus sabdariffa on urinary tract infection and experimental renal inflammation. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;194:617–25.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Eisen MB, Spellman PT, Brown PO, Botstein D. Cluster analysis and display of genome-wide expression patterns. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95:14863–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
19.
Yeo S, An KS, Hong YM, Choi YG, Rosen B, Kim SH, Lim S. Neuroprotective changes in degeneration-related gene expression in the substantia nigra following acupuncture in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinsonism: Microarray analysis. Genet Mol Biol. 2015;38:115–27.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Zhang C, Wen Y, Fan X, Yang S, Tian G, Zhou X, Chen Y, Meng Z. A microarray study of middle cerebral occlusion rat brain with acupuncture intervention. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:496932.PubMedPubMedCentral
21.
Ho TY, Lo JY, Chao DC, Li CC, Liu JJ, Lin C, Hsiang CY. Electroacupuncture improves trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis, evaluated by transcriptomic study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:942196.PubMedPubMedCentral
22.
Wang K, Xiang XH, Qiao N, Qi JY, Lin LB, Zhang R, Shou XJ, Ping XJ, Han JS, Han JD, Zhao GP, Cui CL. Genomewide analysis of rat periaqueductal gray-dorsal horn reveals time-, region-and frequency-specific mRNA expression changes in response to electroacupuncture stimulation. Sci Rep. 2014;4:6713.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
23.
Wang K, Zhang R, He F, Lin LB, Xiang XH, Ping XJ, Han JS, Zhao GP, Zhang QH, Cui CL. Electroacupuncture frequency-related transcriptional response in rat arcuate nucleus revealed region-distinctive changes in response to low- and high-frequency electroacupuncture. J Neurosci Res. 2012;90:1464–73.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Tzeng CY, Lee YC, Chung JJ, Tsai JC, Chen YI, Hsu TH, Lin JG, Lee KR, Chang SL. 15 Hz electroacupuncture at ST36 improves insulin sensitivity and reduces free fatty acid levels in rats with chronic dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance. Acupunct Med. 2016;34:296–301.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Zhang J, Huang K, Zhong G, Huang Y, Li S, Qu S, Zhang J. Acupuncture decreases NF-κB p65, miR-155, and miR-21 and increases miR-146a expression in chronic atrophic gastritis rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:9404629.PubMedPubMedCentral
26.
Yin HY, Tang Y, Lu SF, Luo L, Wang JP, Liu XG, Yu SG. Gene expression profiles at moxibustioned site (ST36): A microarray analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:890579.PubMedPubMedCentral
27.
Liu X, Fan T, Lan Y, Dong S, Fu J, Mao B. Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21:610–6.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Zhang XF, Zhu J, Geng WY, Zhao SJ, Jiang CW, Cai SR, Cheng M, Zhou CY, Liu ZB. Electroacupuncture at Feishu (BL13) and Zusanli (ST36) down-regulates the expression of orexins and their receptors in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Integr Med. 2014;12:417–24.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Song XM, Wu XJ, Li JG, Le LL, Liang H, Xu Y, Zhang ZZ, Wang YL. The effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury in rats. Burns. 2015;41:1449–59.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Yu JB, Shi J, Gong LR, Dong SA, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Cao XS, Wu LL. Role of Nrf2/ARE pathway in protective effect of electroacupuncture against endotoxic shock-induced acute lung injury in rabbits. PLoS One. 2014;9:e104924.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
31.
Wu ZL, Li CR, Liu ZL, Zhang QR. Effects of acupuncture at “Zusanli” (ST 36) on eosinophil apoptosis and related gene expression in rats with asthma. Chin Acupunct Moxibustion. 2012;32:721–5.
32.
Lu Y, Huang Y, Tang C, Shan B, Cui S, Yang J, Chen J, Lin R, Xiao H, Qu S, Lai X. Brain areas involved in the acupuncture treatment of AD model rats: a PET study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14:178.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
33.
Nam MH, Ahn KS, Choi SH. Acupuncture stimulation induces neurogenesis in adult brain. Int Rev Neurobiol. 2013;111:67–90.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Feng S, Ren Y, Fan S, Wang M, Sun T, Zeng F, Li P, Liang F. Discovery of acupoints and combinations with potential to treat vascular dementia: a data mining analysis. Evid Based Complementd Alternat Med. 2015;2015:310591.
35.
Li F, Yan CQ, Lin LT, Li H, Zeng XH, Liu Y, Du SQ, Zhu W, Liu CZ. Acupuncture attenuates cognitive deficits and increases pyramidal neuron number in hippocampal CA1 area of vascular dementia rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:133.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
36.
He X, Yan T, Chen R, Ran D. Acute effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP) of perforant path-dentate gyrus granule cells synapse related to memory. Acupunct Electrother Res. 2012;37:89–101.CrossRefPubMed
37.
He W, Wang X, Shi H, Shang H, Li L, Jing X, Zhu B. Auricular acupuncture and vagal regulation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:786839.PubMedPubMedCentral
38.
Torres-Rosas R, Yehia G, Peña G, Mishra P, del Rocio Thompson-Bonilla M, Moreno-Eutimio MA, Arriaga-Pizano LA, Isibasi A, Ulloa L. Dopamine mediates vagal modulation of the immune system by electroacupuncture. Nat Med. 2014;20:291–5.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
39.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Li M, Longhurst JC. Modulation of cardiopulmonary depressor reflex in nucleus ambiguus by electroacupuncture: roles of opioids and γ-aminobutyric acid. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2012;302:833–44.CrossRef
40.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Li M, Longhurst JC. Medullary GABAergic mechanisms contribute to electroacupuncture modulation of cardiovascular depressor responses during gastric distention in rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2013;304:321–32.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Comprehensive evaluation of gene expression signatures in response to electroacupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint by transcriptomic analysis
Authors
Jing-Shan Wu
Hsin-Yi Lo
Chia-Cheng Li
Feng-Yuan Chen
Chien-Yun Hsiang
Tin-Yun Ho
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1911-0

Other articles of this Issue 1/2017

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2017 Go to the issue

Research article

Ethanol extract of propolis and its constituent caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation in inflammatory microenvironment by inhibiting TLR4 signal pathway and inducing apoptosis and autophagy

Research article

Comparison between the effects of potassium phosphite and chitosan on changes in the concentration of Cucurbitacin E and on antibacterial property of Cucumis sativus

Study protocol

Wrist-ankle acupuncture (WAA) for primary dysmenorrhea (PD) of young females: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Research article

Neuro-protective effect of rutin against Cisplatin-induced neurotoxic rat model

Research article

Patient benefit of dog-assisted interventions in health care: a systematic review

Research article

The effects of Alkanna tinctoria Tausch on split-thickness skin graft donor site management: a randomized, blinded placebo-controlled trial