title: Electroacupuncturing at Zusanli point (ST36) attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine release and organ dysfunction by activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in rat with endotoxin challenge.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is considered that the pathogenesis is closely related to an excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines caused by bacterial toxins and an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators.
  
  
  METHODS
  This work investigates the effect of electro-acupuncturing (EA), at Zusanli point (ST36) on plasma cytokine release and organ dysfunction and their mechanism in conscious rats with endotoxin challenge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EA at Zusanli points obviously lowered the elevated levels of plasma TNF-α, and attenuated changes in parameters relevant to various organ functions at 2 h after LPS challenge. α-BGT injection or bilateral cervical vagotomy could weaken or eliminate the effects of EA, and further aggravated the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and organ dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggested that EA at Zusanli points significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and organ dysfunction after LPS challenge by activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
authors.affiliation: The Oncotherapy center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: The Burns Institute, the First Hospital Affiliated to the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Sen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: The Burns Institute, the First Hospital Affiliated to the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Haibin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: The Burns Institute, the First Hospital Affiliated to the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: The Department of acupuncture of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: The Burns Institute, the First Hospital Affiliated to the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Ziyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: The Cardiovascular surgery department of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853 PRC.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sheng
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007422:Intestines / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004731:Endotoxins
keywords: Cholinergic; Cytokine; Electro-acupuncture; Lipopolysaccharide; anti-inflammatory pathway