BACKGROUND: Surgical trauma contributes to postoperative immune suppression, which is associated with an increased susceptibility to subsequent infections. Electroacupuncture (EA) can alleviate pain and exert immunoregulatory effects. However, the mechanism underlying the immnuomodulation effects of EA is not fully elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effects of EA on T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine production and mRNA expression and evaluated the signaling regulatory mechanism of EA effects. METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups (n = 24 each): control, trauma, trauma (T) + sham EA, and T + EA. EA was applied to Zusanli (ST36) and Lanwei (Extra37) acupoints at 20 min after surgery for 30 min, and then performed once a day on postoperative days 1-5. Splenic T cells were isolated and the production and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 were assayed. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activator protein (AP)-1 were examined. RESULTS: Paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency were significantly increased in the T + EA group compared with the trauma group from postoperative day 1 (paw withdrawal threshold: 5.8 +/- 0.7 vs 3.0 +/- 0.7 g; paw withdrawal latency: 7.0 +/- 0.8 vs 4.5 +/- 0.5 s; P < 0.001) to day 5 (9.0 +/- 0.6 vs 5.5 +/- 0.6 g; 12.0 +/- 1.3 vs 7.0 +/- 0.8 s; P < 0.001). Th1 cytokine (IL-2 and interferon-gamma) production and mRNA expression in splenic T cells of traumatized rats were significantly decreased on postoperative day 3 (P < 0.001, trauma group versus control group), whereas Th2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-10) production and mRNA expression were increased (P < 0.001). This was accompanied with a significant depression in the activity of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 (P < 0.001, trauma group versus control group). EA administration increased Th1 cytokine protein and mRNA expression, suppressed Th2 cytokine protein and mRNA expression (P < 0.05, T + EA group versus trauma group), and increased the activity of ERK1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 (P < 0.001, T + EA group versus trauma group). CONCLUSIONS: EA regulates a balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines at protein and mRNA levels in splenic T cells, and, at least in part, involves the signaling pathways of ERK1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1. The findings suggest that EA may improve immune suppression after surgical trauma.
BACKGROUND: Surgical trauma contributes to postoperative immune suppression, which is associated with an increased susceptibility to subsequent infections. Electroacupuncture (EA) can alleviate pain and exert immunoregulatory effects. However, the mechanism underlying the immnuomodulation effects of EA is not fully elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effects of EA on T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine production and mRNA expression and evaluated the signaling regulatory mechanism of EA effects. METHODS:Rats were divided into four groups (n = 24 each): control, trauma, trauma (T) + sham EA, and T + EA. EA was applied to Zusanli (ST36) and Lanwei (Extra37) acupoints at 20 min after surgery for 30 min, and then performed once a day on postoperative days 1-5. Splenic T cells were isolated and the production and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10 were assayed. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and the DNA binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activator protein (AP)-1 were examined. RESULTS: Paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency were significantly increased in the T + EA group compared with the trauma group from postoperative day 1 (paw withdrawal threshold: 5.8 +/- 0.7 vs 3.0 +/- 0.7 g; paw withdrawal latency: 7.0 +/- 0.8 vs 4.5 +/- 0.5 s; P < 0.001) to day 5 (9.0 +/- 0.6 vs 5.5 +/- 0.6 g; 12.0 +/- 1.3 vs 7.0 +/- 0.8 s; P < 0.001). Th1 cytokine (IL-2 and interferon-gamma) production and mRNA expression in splenic T cells of traumatized rats were significantly decreased on postoperative day 3 (P < 0.001, trauma group versus control group), whereas Th2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-10) production and mRNA expression were increased (P < 0.001). This was accompanied with a significant depression in the activity of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 (P < 0.001, trauma group versus control group). EA administration increased Th1 cytokine protein and mRNA expression, suppressed Th2 cytokine protein and mRNA expression (P < 0.05, T + EA group versus trauma group), and increased the activity of ERK1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 (P < 0.001, T + EA group versus trauma group). CONCLUSIONS: EA regulates a balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines at protein and mRNA levels in splenic T cells, and, at least in part, involves the signaling pathways of ERK1/2, p38, NF-kappaB, and AP-1. The findings suggest that EA may improve immune suppression after surgical trauma.
Authors: Tatiana E Salazar; Matthew R Richardson; Eleni Beli; Matthew S Ripsch; John George; Youngsook Kim; Yaqian Duan; Leni Moldovan; Yuanqing Yan; Ashay Bhatwadekar; Vaishnavi Jadhav; Jared A Smith; Susan McGorray; Alicia L Bertone; Dmitri O Traktuev; Keith L March; Luis M Colon-Perez; Keith G Avin; Emily Sims; Julie A Mund; Jamie Case; Xiaolin Deng; Min Su Kim; Bruce McDavitt; Michael E Boulton; Jeffrey Thinschmidt; Sergio Li Calzi; Stephanie D Fitz; Robyn K Fuchs; Stuart J Warden; Todd McKinley; Anantha Shekhar; Marcelo Febo; Phillip L Johnson; Lung-Ji Chang; Zhanguo Gao; Mikhail G Kolonin; Song Lai; Jingfeng Ma; Xinzhong Dong; Fletcher A White; Huisheng Xie; Mervin C Yoder; Maria B Grant Journal: Stem Cells Date: 2017-05 Impact factor: 6.277
Authors: Branden A Smeester; Mona Al-Gizawiy; Elaine E O'Brien; Marna E Ericson; Jennifer L Triemstra; Alvin J Beitz Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2013-10-21 Impact factor: 2.629
Authors: Albino Villegas-Bastida; Rafael Torres-Rosas; Lourdes Andrea Arriaga-Pizano; Javier Flores-Estrada; Altamirano Gustavo-Acosta; Mario Adan Moreno-Eutimio Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2014-06-26 Impact factor: 2.629