Introduction: Electro-acupuncture (EA) can significantly improve inflammatory response, but the specific mechanism is not clear. Limb ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) first produces inflammatory reactions in the lungs. In this study, EA on Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were used to explore the mechanism of improving tissue inflammation by sciatic nerve disconnection.
Material and Methods: A total of 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, EA group, SEA group, SNC+EA group, TNC+EA group and PNC+EA group. The sham groups were not given any treatment. Rats in the model group were treated with limb I/R without acupuncture intervention. In the EA group, ST36 and SP6 were given EA treatment for 30min before modeling. No electric current was given in the SEA group, and other operations were the same as those in the EA group. The SNC+EA group, TNC+EA group and PNC+EA group were respectively given sciatic nerve, tibial nerve or peroneal nerve amputation 72h before modeling, and the others were the same as the model group.
Results: Compared with the sham group, PaO2 and a/A ratios decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05), while PA-aO2, RI, the ratio of wet to dry, lung injury value and inflammatory factor TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and MPO increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, PaO2, a/A ratios increased significantly in the EA group (P < 0.05), while PA-aO2, RI, the ratio of wet to dry lung, lung injury value, and TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and MPO decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After transection of the sciatic nerve, the protective effect of EA disappeared. However, when the peroneal or tibial nerve was severed, EA continued to maintain the protective effect.
Conclusion: EA on ST36 and SP6 can alleviate lung injury caused by limb I/R through the sciatic nerve.

Keywords: electro-acupuncture, limb ischemia-reperfusion injury, sciatic nerve


中文翻译：

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电针 ST36 和 SP6 穴位改善四肢缺血再灌注大鼠模型中坐骨神经的肺损伤。

简介：电针（EA）可显着改善炎症反应，但具体机制尚不清楚。肢体缺血再灌注 (I/R) 首先在肺部产生炎症反应。本研究采用电针足三里（ST36）和三阴交（SP6）探讨坐骨神经切断改善组织炎症的机制。
材料与方法：56只雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、电针组、SEA组、SNC+EA组、TNC+EA组和PNC+EA组。假手术组不接受任何治疗。模型组大鼠进行肢体I/R治疗，不进行针刺干预。电针组造模前给予ST36和SP6电针30min。SEA组不通电，其他操作同EA组。SNC+EA组、TNC+EA组和PNC+EA组在造模前72h分别给予坐骨神经、胫神经或腓神经截肢，其余与模型组相同。
结果：与假手术组相比，模型组PaO2和a/A比值显着降低（P < 0.05），而PA-aO2、RI、干湿比、肺损伤值和炎症因子TNF-α、IL- 1、IL-6、MPO显着增加（P < 0.05）。与模型组比较，电针组PaO2、a/A比值显着升高（P < 0.05），而PA-aO2、RI、湿肺比、肺损伤值、TNF-α、IL- 1、IL-6、MPO显着降低（P < 0.05）。横断坐骨神经后，电针的保护作用消失。然而，当腓或胫神经被切断时，电针继续保持保护作用。
结论：电针ST36和SP6可通过坐骨神经减轻肢体I/R引起的肺损伤。

关键词：电针, 肢体缺血再灌注损伤, 坐骨神经