Effects of electroacupuncture on inflammatory level and macrophage polarization in rats with acute lung injury

Jing Liu, Jun Zhou, Linwei Yin
Purpose:

objective to observe the effects of electroacupuncture on inflammatory level and macrophage polarization in rats with acute lung injury. 

Methods:

24 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, acute lung injury group and electroacupuncture group. The animal model of acute lung injury was established by intratracheal instillation of LPS in the acute lung injury group and electroacupuncture group, while the same amount of normal saline was injected into the trachea in the control group. Rats in the electroacupuncture group were intervened by electroacupuncture at bilateral acupoints "Zusanli" and "Zhize". The control group and acute lung injury group were not treated. On the fifth day, all rats were anesthetized to take blood from the orbit and lung tissue. The serum levels of IL-1 β and TGF β were measured, the lung tissue HE staining and the ratio of W/D, and the mRNA and protein levels of IL-1 β, TNF- α, MR, Ym1 and Arg1 were detected by RT-PCR and Westernblot, respectively.

Results:

Compared with the control group, in the acute lung injury group, the lung tissue structure was destroyed, the alveolar wall was thickened, the arrangement was disordered and inflammatory infiltration, the ratio of Ward D was increased, the serum levels of TGF-β and IL-1 β were increased, and the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α, Ym1 and IL-1 β were increased, while the mRNA and protein levels of MR and Arg1 were decreased. Compared with the acute lung injury group, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the alveolar wall, the degree of injury and the structure of the alveolar wall in the electroacupuncture group were less, the ratio of Ward D was lower, the levels of serum TGFβ and IL-1 β were lower, the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α, Ym1 and IL-1 β were lower, and the mRNA and protein levels of MR and Arg1 were higher in the electroacupuncture group. 

Conclusion(s):

electroacupuncture can attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats. The mechanism may be that electroacupuncture inhibits M1 polarization of pulmonary macrophages and promotes M2 polarization. 

Implications:

Electroacupuncture has been widely used in the treatment of clinical respiratory diseases. Exploring the mechanism of action of electroacupuncture in treating acute lung injury in rats can provide theoretical support for clinical application and facilitate more precise clinical treatment.

Funding acknowledgements:
Hunan Natural Science Foundation (2023JJ40595); Hunan Provincial Health Commission Project (202103100165);Hunan Natural Science Foundation (2023JJ40592)
Keywords:
electroacupuncture
acute lung injury
inflammatory response
Primary topic:
Basic science including molecular and cellular health
Second topic:
Research methodology, knowledge translation and implementation science
Third topic:
Critical care
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
南华大学附属第一医院伦理委员会
Provide the ethics approval number:
20200000121008
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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