The effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury in rats

Objective: Acupuncture at ST36 can produce anti-inflammatory effects, which might be associated with vagus nerve activity. This study,explored the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury in rats. Interventions: Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) the sham (S) group, (2) the thermal injury (TEM) group subjected to 30% total body surface area (30% TBSA) third-degree scald, (3) the EA at ST36 group subjected to EA stimulation at ST36 (3 V, 2 ms, and 3 Hz) after 30% TBSA scald, (4) the EA at non-acupoint group subjected to EA stimulation at non-acupoint after 30% TBSA scald, and (5) the alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit antagonist) group administered 1.0 mu g kg(-1) alpha-bun-garotoxin before EA at ST36. Measurements and main results: Thermal injury of 30% TBSA induced leukocytosis in the alveolar space, interstitial edema, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1); the expression of both HMGB-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in lung tissue was significantly enhanced. EA at ST36 significantly downregulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines and improved lung tissue injury. However, pretreatment with alpha-bungarotoxin reversed the effects of electrical stimulation of ST36. Conclusions: EA at ST36 might have a potential protective effect on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury via limitation of inflammatory responses in rats. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and ISM. All rights reserved.