scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Improves IBS Visceral Hypersensitivity by Inhibiting the Activation of Astrocytes in the Medial Thalamus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Min Zhao ◽  
Zhaoqin Wang ◽  
Zhijun Weng ◽  
Fang Zhang ◽  
Guona Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Intrathecal Injection ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Visceral Hypersensitivity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Medial Thalamus ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Model Control

Objective. To explore whether the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on visceral hypersensitivity (VH) in rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is related to the changes of astrocyte activation in the medial thalamus (MT) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Method. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control (NC) group, model control (MC) group, electroacupuncture (EA) group, and fluorocitrate (FCA) group. A model of visceral hypersensitivity was established by neonatal colorectal irritation. In the EA group, needles were inserted into the skin at the Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints, once a day for 7 days. The FCA group received intrathecal injection of FCA on the 1st, 4th, and 7th days. Visceral hypersensitivity was evaluated by the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA and protein levels in the MT and ACC were detected by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blots. Results. The AWR score in the MC group was significantly higher than in the NC group, and EA and FCA reduced the AWR score of VH rats. GFAP mRNA and protein levels in the MT and ACC of rats in the MC group were significantly increased compared with the NC group. After either electroacupuncture or fluorocitrate, GFAP mRNA and protein levels in the MT and ACC were both clearly reduced. Conclusion. Electroacupuncture alleviates IBS visceral hypersensitivity by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes in the MT and ACC.

scholarly journals Up-regulation of HTR1A reverses stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity through modulating interactions among the anterior cingulate cortex, insular cortex and hippocampus

Pteridines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-173
Author(s):  
Liqian Xuan ◽  
Jingjing Zhou ◽  
Lisha Yi ◽  
Shuchang Xu
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Opposite Effect ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Insular Cortex ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Visceral Hypersensitivity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Green Fluorescent

AbstractBackground: This study aimed to explore the effect of 5-HT1A receptors (HTR1A) on activation of the anterior cingulate cortex and simultaneous regulation of neural activity in the insular cortex and hippocampus.Methods: The IBS rat model was established via chronic water avoidance stress (WAS). Visceral sensitivity was measured by electromyogram, and anxiety-like behaviours were evaluated by the open field test. HTR1A-specific lentivirus expressing green fluorescent protein was used to overexpress or down-regulate HTR1A expression. Protein expression levels were detected by western blot.Results: Up-regulation of HTR1A in ACC could inhibit ACC sensitization and reverse the visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviours induced by chronic psychological stress. In contrast, down-regulation of HTR1A in ACC might promote these behaviors in IBS rats. Additionally, up-regulation of HTR1A in ACC could inhibit IC and hippocampus sensitization, while down-regulation might have the opposite effect.Conclusions: In IBS rats, HTR1A could modulate ACC activation and interactions among the ACC, IC and hippocampus. These effects might in turn contribute to the development of visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviours induced by chronic psychological stress.

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