Mast Cell-Associated Serotonin in Acupoint Contributes to Acupuncture Analgesia in Arthritis Rats by Mediating ATP Release

Bing-Rong Li; Yu-Jia Li; Jing-Wen Xu; Meng Huang; Li-Na Wang; Di Zhang; Xue-Yong Shen; Guang-Hong Ding

doi:10.31083/j.fbl2801001

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (Jan 2023)

Mast Cell-Associated Serotonin in Acupoint Contributes to Acupuncture Analgesia in Arthritis Rats by Mediating ATP Release

Bing-Rong Li,
Yu-Jia Li,
Jing-Wen Xu,
Meng Huang,
Li-Na Wang,
Di Zhang,
Xue-Yong Shen,
Guang-Hong Ding

Affiliations

Bing-Rong Li: Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China
Yu-Jia Li: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai, China
Jing-Wen Xu: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai, China
Meng Huang: Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridians, 200433 Shanghai, China
Li-Na Wang: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai, China
Di Zhang: Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China
Xue-Yong Shen: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai, China
Guang-Hong Ding: Shanghai Key Laboratory for Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2801001
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 28, no. 1
p. 1

Abstract

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Background: The activation of subcutaneous mast cells (MCs) helps to trigger the analgesic effect induced by acupuncture (AP), a traditional oriental therapy, that has been gradually accepted worldwide. This work aimed to reveal whether the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) released from MCs plays an important role in this process, which has a controversial effect in the mechanism of pain. Methods: In vivo tests, a 20-min session of AP was applied at Zusanli acupuncture point (acupoint) of acute ankle arthritis rats. Pain thresholds of the injured hindpaw were assessed to reflect the pain state, and the targeting substances in the interstitial space of the treated acupoint were sampled by microdialysis. In vitro experiments, exogenous 5-HT (exo-5-HT) was introduced to mediate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from cultured MCs. Results: Needling promoted 5-HT accumulation at the Zusanli acupoint, which was prevented by sodium cromolyn. AP’s analgesic effect was suppressed by the inhibition of 5-HT receptors at the acupoint, especially 5-HT1A subtype. In vitro tests, mechanical perturbation mimicking needling stimulation induced MCs to release 5-HT. 1 μM and 10 μM of exo-5-HT facilitated ATP release, which was restrained by blocking of 5-HT1 receptors rather than 5-HT3 receptors. As 5-HT, ATP and adenosine were also transiently accumulated in the treated acupoint during needling. Promoting ATP hydrolysis or activation adenosine A1 receptors duplicated AP analgesic effect. Finally, the inhibition of ATP receptors by suramin or pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo tetrasodium salt hydrate (PPADS) prevented AP analgesic effect. Conclusions: Our results suggest that MC-associated 5-HT release at acupoints contributes to AP analgesia, and the mediation of ATP secretion through 5-HT1A receptors might be the underlying mechanism at play. ATP could facilitate adenosine production or the propagation of needling signals.

Published in Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark

ISSN: 2768-6701 (Print); 2768-6698 (Online)
Publisher: IMR Press
Country of publisher: Singapore
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry: Biochemistry; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/FBL

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