Applying Statistical and Complex Network Methods to Explore the Key Signaling Molecules of Acupuncture Regulating Neuroendocrine-Immune Network.

Kuo Zhang,Yi Guo,Xue Zhao,Zhi-Fang Xu,Kai Li,Jiang Wang,Sha-Sha Ding,Xin-Meng Guo,Yang-Yang Liu,Ya-Wen Yan

doi:10.1155/2018/9260630

Abstract

The mechanisms of acupuncture are still unclear. In order to reveal the regulatory effect of manual acupuncture (MA) on the neuroendocrine-immune (NEI) network and identify the key signaling molecules during MA modulating NEI network, we used a rat complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model to observe the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of MA, and, what is more, we used statistical and complex network methods to analyze the data about the expression of 55 common signaling molecules of NEI network in ST36 (Zusanli) acupoint, and serum and hind foot pad tissue. The results indicate that MA had significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects on CFA rats; the key signaling molecules may play a key role during MA regulating NEI network, but further research is needed.

Highlights

Acupuncture is a physical therapy of preventing or treating diseases by inserting needle into specific acupoints
The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: (1) normal saline (NS) group: with normal saline injection, (2) complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) group: with CFA injection, and (3) CFA + manual acupuncture (MA) group: with CFA injection and MA manipulation
The hind paw swelling significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in CFA + MA group (2.51 ± 0.17 ml) on day 21 compared with CFA group (2.84 ± 0.30 ml), when MA treatment persisted. These results suggested that MA could alleviate the CFA-induced hind paw swelling

Summary

Introduction

Acupuncture is a physical therapy of preventing or treating diseases by inserting needle into specific acupoints. As a kind of nonspecific physical stimulus, the effects of acupuncture are mediated by the regulatory systems in the body. This determines that the basic way of acupuncture effect is regulating the body’s condition, with the characteristics of whole regulation. The three systems share common signaling molecules and their affiliated receptors, including some neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones, and their receptors [1]. The common signaling molecules and their receptors constitute the molecular structural foundation of NEI network, being responsible for information communication and transmission between the three systems [1, 2]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion