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Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) onset and development are closely associated with intestinal barrier injury. Evidence from clinical practice and research has shown that electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint can improve intestinal barrier function and abdominal symptoms in patients with severe acute pancreatitis; however, the specific mechanisms of action remain unclear.
This study aimed to observe the changes in the intestinal microbiota and metabolites in severe acute pancreatitis rats and to explore the effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 on intestinal barrier injury in severe acute pancreatitis rats. 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with microbial diversity analysis, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-targeted metabolomics, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and other techniques were used to explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at bilateral ST36 acupoints on severe acute pancreatitis-related intestinal barrier injury.
Our results showed that electroacupuncture at ST36 could repair intestinal barrier injury by modulating intestinal microecology, thereby reducing intestinal inflammation, restoring intestinal function, and ultimately alleviating the prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis.
Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms and treatment of intestinal barrier injury in patients with severe acute pancreatitis from the perspectives of microbiota and SCFAs regulation.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38381095/