| 30168040 |
Electro-acupuncture Pretreatment at Zusanli (ST36) Acupoint Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Rats by Inhibiting Ca(2+) Influx Associated with Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors. |
Inflammation. 2019 Feb;42(1):211-220. doi: 10.1007/s10753-018-0885-5. |
2019 Feb |
In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) pretreatment at zusanli (ST36) acupoint on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemic rat model and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Rats were treated with EA at ST36 for 7 days before being subjected to LPS. Two hours post-LPS, samples such as serum, local acupoint tissues, and spleens were collected and processed for investigations including cytokine production, cytosolic calcium (Ca(2+)) concentration, Ca(2+) influx, cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R) expression, and TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling. Our results showed EA pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6. EA also enhanced CB2R expression, inhibited Ca(2+) influx, and inactivated TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling, subsequently resulting in a substantial reduction of Ca(2+) concentration. Importantly, CB2R antagonist AM630 effectively abrogated the suppressive effect of EA at ST36 on the endotoxemic rats, suggesting CB2R was involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of EA. EA pretreatment could enhance CB2R expression, inhibit Ca(2+) influx, and inactivate TLR4/NF-kappaB signaling, which contributes to the alleviation of LPS-induced inflammation in rats."
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