Role of Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway in Treatment of Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Electroacupuncture at Zusanli

Electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli is a widely used method for the treatment of intestinal ischemic disease. The current study attempts to investigate the possible mechanism from the point of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups: control group, I/R group, EA group (I/R + EA), PNU group (I/R + alpha 7 nAChR agonist), and alpha-BGT group (I/R + EA + alpha 7 nAChR antagonist). EA and medicine injection were performed immediately after ischemia. After 2 h of reperfusion, blood and intestine samples were collected and intestinal histopathological score, mRNA expression of mucosal alpha 7 nAChR and NF-kappa Bp65, and serum cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-alpha) were examined. Compared with the I/R group, the EA group and PNU group could significantly attenuate the mucosal damage, promote alpha 7 nAChR mRNA expression, and reduce levels of NF-kappa Bp65, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Compared with the EA group, alpha 7 nAChR mRNA was decreased, while concentrations of NF-kappa Bp65, IL-6, and TNF-alpha increased in the alpha-BGT group. EA at Zusanli could inhibit NF-kappa Bp65 and proinflammatory cytokines production after intestinal I/R injury; its mechanism may be related to the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.