Electroacupuncture Reduces Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Obese Mice by Activating the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways and Repairing the Intestinal Barrier

Yunhao Yang; Fang Pang; Min Zhou; Xiao Guo; Yan Yang; Wei Qiu; Cai Liao; Yang Chen; Chenglin Tang

doi:10.2147/DMSO.S449112

Electroacupuncture Reduces Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Obese Mice by Activating the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways and Repairing the Intestinal Barrier

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2024 Jan 27:17:435-452. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S449112. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Yunhao Yang^{1

2}, Fang Pang^{1

2

3}, Min Zhou^{1

2}, Xiao Guo^{1

2}, Yan Yang^{1

2}, Wei Qiu^{1

2}, Cai Liao^{1

2}, Yang Chen^{1

2}, Chenglin Tang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
² Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
³ Institute of Sports Biology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms by which this approach safeguards against obesity-induced intestinal barrier damage has not been fully understood.

Objective: This study aimed to assess whether EA could ameliorate intestinal barrier damage that had been reversed in a mouse model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and whether this repair is correlated with ferroptosis and gut microbiota enhancement.

Methods: To assess the potential of EA to prevent obesity and restore the intestinal barrier, we divided in C57BL/6J mice into two groups; one was fed with HFD and another one with a normal diet. Samples of stool, blood, fat, and intestinal epithelium were then evaluated, along with body weight.

Results: Following EA, we observed a significant reduction in body weight, fat accumulation, and serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels; an increase was seen in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. EA also activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway; upregulated the expression of GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11; and downregulated the expression of TFR1. In addition, the administration of EA resulted in a notable modification of the gut microbiota composition, characterized by a decrease in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio.

Conclusion: EA had beneficial effects on weight loss and showed potential ability to repair the intestinal barrier by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, inhibiting intestinal inflammation and ferroptosis, and regulating the intestinal microbiota to treat IBD caused by HFD-induced obesity.

Keywords: Chinese medicine; acupuncture; electrostimulation; ferroptosis; intestinal epithelium; obesity.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Key Discipline Construction Project of Acupuncture Moxi-bustion and Massage of Chongqing Health Commission (472020320220021), College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Chongqing Medical University (No: 2021-ZDXK-DB07), Joint Project of Chongqing Health and Family Planning Commission and Science and Technology Commission (No: ZY201801007), and Chongqing Yuzhong District Science and Technology Plan Project (No: 20200116).