The effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury in rats

• Thermal injury of 30% total body surface area (TBSA) induced inflammatory responses and lung injury.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 decreased the plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1).
• EA at ST36 improved lung tissue injury.
• α-Bungarotoxin reversed the effect of EA at ST36.

ObjectiveAcupuncture at ST36 can produce anti-inflammatory effects, which might be associated with vagus nerve activity. This study explored the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury in rats.InterventionsForty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) the sham (S) group, (2) the thermal injury (TEM) group subjected to 30% total body surface area (30% TBSA) third-degree scald, (3) the EA at ST36 group subjected to EA stimulation at ST36 (3 V, 2 ms, and 3 Hz) after 30% TBSA scald, (4) the EA at non-acupoint group subjected to EA stimulation at non-acupoint after 30% TBSA scald, and (5) the α-bungarotoxin (α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit antagonist) group administered 1.0 μg kg−1 α-bungarotoxin before EA at ST36.Measurements and main resultsThermal injury of 30% TBSA induced leukocytosis in the alveolar space, interstitial edema, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1); the expression of both HMGB-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in lung tissue was significantly enhanced. EA at ST36 significantly downregulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines and improved lung tissue injury. However, pretreatment with α-bungarotoxin reversed the effects of electrical stimulation of ST36.ConclusionsEA at ST36 might have a potential protective effect on severe thermal injury-induced remote acute lung injury via limitation of inflammatory responses in rats.