Electroacupuncture modulates the intestinal microecology to improve intestinal motility in spinal cord injury rats

Microbial Biotechnology, 2022 · DOI: doi:10.1111/1751-7915.13968 · Published: May 1, 2022

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to gastrointestinal problems. This study explores if electroacupuncture (EA) can improve gut health in SCI rats by affecting the gut bacteria and a chemical system called 5-HT. The researchers used a rat model of SCI and treated some rats with EA and others with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). They then analyzed the gut bacteria, metabolites, and 5-HT system in these rats. The study found that EA and FMT improved gut function, altered gut bacteria composition, and regulated the 5-HT system in SCI rats, suggesting that EA may help SCI by influencing gut health.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Sprague Dawley rats (female, 2-3 months old)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
EA and FMT treatment facilitated intestinal transmission functional recovery and restored the colon morphology of SCI rats.
2
SCI resulted in disturbed metabolic conditions in rats, and the EA and FMT group showed increased amounts of catechin compared with SCI rats.
3
SCI inhibited 5-HT system expression in the colon, which was signiﬁcantly reversed by EA and FMT treatment.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on gut microbial dysbiosis and the 5-HT system in spinal cord injury (SCI) rats. EA and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) improved intestinal function and colon morphology in SCI rats, reshaped the intestinal microbiota, and increased catechin levels. EA and FMT reversed the SCI-induced inhibition of the 5-HT system in the colon, suggesting that EA may ameliorate SCI by modulating microbiota, metabolites, and regulating the 5-HT system.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic potential

Electroacupuncture may offer a therapeutic approach for managing gastrointestinal dysfunction following spinal cord injury by modulating the gut microbiota and 5-HT system.

Microbiota-gut axis

The study highlights the importance of the microbiota-gut axis in the pathogenesis and therapy of SCI, offering new insights into the role of gut flora disorders and metabolite changes.

Future research

Further research is needed to explore the synergistic effects of EA and FMT in humans and identify beneficial flora for SCI treatment.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The specific mechanisms by which EA regulates the 5-HT system and the role of individual microbial species require further investigation.
3
The synergistic effects of EA and FMT were not fully explored in this study.

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