Work

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Mitigates Sneezing Behavior in Allergic Rhinitis Rats and is Associated with the Attenuation of NMB-NMBR-cVRG Signaling

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To investigate whether Yingxiang acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) can alleviate the sneezing behavior in a rat model of allergic rhinitis (AR), and to explore its relationship with the attenuation of the NMB-NMBR-cVRG neural pathway. Methods: Eighty-four SPF-grade SD rats were initially assigned to a control group (n = 24) and an OVA-sensitization group (n = 60). The study was conducted in two sequential stages. In the first stage (n = 24), the successful establishment of the AR model was validated by comparing a randomized subset of model rats (n = 12) with the control group (n = 12). In the second stage, following confirmed modeling, the remaining AR rats (n = 48) were randomized into four treatment subgroups (n = 12 each): AR model, ACE, NMB-siRNA, and NMB-nc groups. The remaining control rats (n = 12) served as the blank group. The primary outcome measures, sneezing frequency and respiratory airflow patterns, were evaluated by whole-body plethysmography (WBP). Secondary measures included nasal inflammatory mediators (ELISA), mucosal histopathology (HE), and protein expression of NMB, NMBR, and c-Fos in the trigeminal-brainstem axis determined via Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Results: 1. The AR model was successfully established by ovalbumin sensitization. 2. Compared with the AR model group, the ACE group significantly alleviated sneezing symptoms, reduced the levels of AR-related inflammatory factors in nasal lavage fluid, and improved nasal mucosal pathological damage. 3. Compared with the AR model group, the expression levels of NMB, NMBR, and c-Fos were significantly decreased in both the ACE group and the NMB-siRNA group. Conclusion: ACE at Yingxiang attenuates inflammatory stimulus-induced neuronal activation within the NMB-NMBR-cVRG pathway. These findings suggest that ACE plays a critical role in modulating central sneeze reflex sensitivity and neurogenic inflammation in AR rats.

Source: Journal of Inflammation Research

DOI: 10.2147/jir.s602888

Authors: Mi Tang, Feng Xiang, Qinxiu Zhang

Institutions: Southwest Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing Cancer Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836