Acupuncture at Weizhong(BL40)attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves  

作　　者：Xin Liu Chao-yue Zhang Xiu-yu Du Shan-shan Li Yu-qing Wang Yi Zheng Han-zhi Deng Xiao-qin Fang Jia-ying Li Zu-qing Wang Shi-fen Xu Yi-qun Mi 

机构地区：[1]Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Shanghai 200071,China

出　　处：《Journal of Integrative Medicine》2025年第1期46-55,共10页结合医学学报(英文版)

基　　金：supported by grants from the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission(No.21ZR1461000);Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(No.ZY[2021–2023]−0204).

摘　　要：Objective The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint(BL40)on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder(OAB),and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture.Methods Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups,comprising a control group,model group,group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40,group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40,group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40,and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong(GB39).Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination,and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation.The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells(MCs)or blocking tibial nerve.Results Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex(M1),periaquaductal gray matter(PAG),and pontine micturition center(PMC).It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC.Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes.Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine,substance P,and histamine in the tissues around BL40.Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats.Conclusion Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve,thereby regulating the

关 键 词：ACUPUNCTURE Overactive bladder Mast cell Tibial nerve Functional magnetic resonance imaging 

分 类 号：R24[医药卫生—中医临床基础]