Electroacupuncture ameliorates experimental colitis induced by TNBS through activation of interleukin-10 and inhibition of iNOS in mice

Goes, Annya Costa Araujo de Macedo; Pinto, Francisco Maxwell Martins; Fernandes, Guilherme Cardoso; Barbosa, Jessica Sales; Correia, Emanuela Santos; Ribeiro, Ronaldo Albuquerque; Guimaraes, Sergio Botelho; Lima Júnior, Roberto Cesar Pereira; Brito, Gerly Anne de Castro; Rodrigues, Lusmar Veras

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Electroacupuncture ameliorates experimental colitis induced by TNBS through activation of interleukin-10 and inhibition of iNOS in mice

Goes, Annya Costa Araujo de MacedoPinto, Francisco Maxwell MartinsFernandes, Guilherme CardosoBarbosa, Jessica SalesCorreia, Emanuela SantosRibeiro, Ronaldo AlbuquerqueGuimaraes, Sergio BotelhoLima Júnior, Roberto Cesar PereiraBrito, Gerly Anne de CastroRodrigues, Lusmar Veras

PURPOSE:To study the anti-inflammatory actions of electroacupuncture (EAc) on an experimental colitis model in mice.METHODS:Thirty-eight male Swiss mice, divided in five groups, were subjected to induction of colitis by TNBS in 50% ethanol. Saline (SAL) and ethanol (ETNL) groups served as controls. TNBS+EAc and TNBS+ dexamethasone subgroups were treated with EAc 100Hz and dexamethasone (DEXA) 1 mg/Kg/day, respectively. After three days, a colon segment was obtained for quantification of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, immunohistochemistry for iNOS, malondialdehyde (MDA) and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-10).RESULTS:Neutrophilic activity, assayed as MPO activity, was significantly higher in the TNBS colitis group than that in the saline control group. TNBS+EAc group showed suppression of IL-10 in the colon. EAc treatment significantly reduced the concentration of MDA and the expression of iNOS, as compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture 100Hz applied to acupoint ST-36 promotes an anti-inflammatory action on the TNBS-induced colitis, mediated by increase of IL-10 and decrease of iNOS expression.(AU)