학술논문
Electroacupuncture Alleviates Dry Eye Ocular Pain Through TNF-ɑ Mediated ERK1/2/P2X 3 R Signaling Pathway in SD Rats.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Wan MM; Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.; Jin T; Department of Ophthalmology, Kunshan Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.; Fu ZY; Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.; Lai SH; Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.; Gao WP; Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
Source
Publisher: Dove Medical Press Country of Publication: New Zealand NLM ID: 101540514 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1178-7090 (Print) Linking ISSN: 11787090 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Pain Res Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1178-7090
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to examine electroacupuncture's influence on ocular pain and its potential modulation of the TNF-ɑ mediated ERK1/2/P2X 3 R signaling pathway in dry eye-induced rat models.
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats with induced dry eye, achieved through extraorbital lacrimal gland removal, were treated with electroacupuncture. Comprehensive metrics such as the corneal mechanical perception threshold, palpebral fissure height, eyeblink frequency, eye wiping duration, behavioral changes in the open field test, and the forced swimming test were employed. Additionally, morphological changes in microglia and neurons were observed. Expression patterns of key markers, TNF-ɑ, TNFR1, p-ERK1/2, and P2X3 R, in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (SpVc) regions, were studied with etanercept serving as a control to decipher the biochemistry of electroacupuncture's therapeutic effects.
Results: Electroacupuncture treatment demonstrated a notable decrease in the corneal mechanical perception threshold, improvement in palpebral fissure height, and significant reductions in both eyeblink frequency and eye wiping duration. Moreover, it exhibited a promising role in anxiety alleviation. Notably, the technique effectively diminished ocular pain by curbing microglial and neuronal activation in the TG and SpVc regions. Furthermore, it potently downregulated TNF-ɑ, TNFR1, p-ERK1/2, and P2X3 R expression within these regions.
Conclusion: Electroacupuncture attenuated damage to sensory nerve pathways, reduced pain, and eased anxiety in dry eye-afflicted rats. The findings suggest a crucial role of TNF-ɑ mediated ERK1/2/P2X3 R signaling pathway inhibition by electroacupuncture in these benefits.
Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
(© 2023 Wan et al.)
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats with induced dry eye, achieved through extraorbital lacrimal gland removal, were treated with electroacupuncture. Comprehensive metrics such as the corneal mechanical perception threshold, palpebral fissure height, eyeblink frequency, eye wiping duration, behavioral changes in the open field test, and the forced swimming test were employed. Additionally, morphological changes in microglia and neurons were observed. Expression patterns of key markers, TNF-ɑ, TNFR1, p-ERK1/2, and P2X
Results: Electroacupuncture treatment demonstrated a notable decrease in the corneal mechanical perception threshold, improvement in palpebral fissure height, and significant reductions in both eyeblink frequency and eye wiping duration. Moreover, it exhibited a promising role in anxiety alleviation. Notably, the technique effectively diminished ocular pain by curbing microglial and neuronal activation in the TG and SpVc regions. Furthermore, it potently downregulated TNF-ɑ, TNFR1, p-ERK1/2, and P2X
Conclusion: Electroacupuncture attenuated damage to sensory nerve pathways, reduced pain, and eased anxiety in dry eye-afflicted rats. The findings suggest a crucial role of TNF-ɑ mediated ERK1/2/P2X
Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
(© 2023 Wan et al.)