Huo Mingzhu, Zhang Qingxiang, Si Yuxin, Zhang Youlin, Chang Hongen, Zhou Mengmeng, Zhang Di, Fang Yuxin
Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
Purinergic Signal. 2024 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s11302-024-09985-y.
Acupuncture is a traditional medicinal practice in China that has been increasingly recognized in other countries in recent decades. Notably, several reports have demonstrated that acupuncture can effectively aid in pain management. However, the analgesic mechanisms through which acupuncture provides such benefits remain poorly understood. Purinergic signaling, which is mediated by purine nucleotides and purinergic receptors, has been proposed to play a central role in acupuncture analgesia. On the one hand, acupuncture affects the transmission of nociception by increasing adenosine triphosphate dephosphorylation and thereby decreasing downstream P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7 receptors signaling activity, regulating the levels of inflammatory factors, neurotrophic factors, and synapsin I. On the other hand, acupuncture exerts analgesic effects by promoting the production of adenosine, enhancing the expression of downstream adenosine A1 and A2A receptors, and regulating downstream inflammatory factors or synaptic plasticity. Together, this systematic overview of the field provides a sound, evidence-based foundation for future research focused on the application of acupuncture as a means of relieving pain.
针灸是中国的一种传统医学疗法，近几十年来在其他国家也越来越受到认可。值得注意的是，一些报告表明针灸可以有效地辅助疼痛管理。然而，针灸产生这些益处的镇痛机制仍知之甚少。由嘌呤核苷酸和嘌呤能受体介导的嘌呤能信号传导被认为在针灸镇痛中起核心作用。一方面，针灸通过增加三磷酸腺苷去磷酸化来影响伤害性感受的传递，从而降低下游P2X3、P2X4和P2X7受体的信号传导活性，调节炎症因子、神经营养因子和突触素I的水平。另一方面，针灸通过促进腺苷的产生、增强下游腺苷A1和A2A受体的表达以及调节下游炎症因子或突触可塑性来发挥镇痛作用。总之，该领域的这一系统综述为未来专注于将针灸作为缓解疼痛手段的研究提供了坚实的、基于证据的基础。
