Effect of acupoint catgut embedding on p38 MAPK pathway in the lung tissue of asthmatic rats.

Objectives: To observe the effect of catgut embedding at "Feishu"(BL13), "Dingchuan" (EX-B1) and "Danzhong" (CV17) on expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and changes of airway epithelial cells (AEC) in the lung tissue of bronchial asthma (BA) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of BA.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into blank control, model, dexamethasone (DEX) and catgut embedding groups. The BA model was established by intraperitoneal injection of suspension of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide.

[Acupuncture affects the apoptosis of eosinophilic granulocytes in lung tissue of asthmatic rats by regulating the P38MAPK signaling pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on phosphorylated P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-P38MAPK), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and eosinophilic granulocytes (EOS) in lung tissue of asthmatic rats, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture in regulating the apoptosis of EOS.

Methods: Clean-grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, model, dexamethasone and acupuncture groups, 8 rats in each group. The asthmatic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of mixture suspension (1 mL) of 10% ovalbumin and 10% Al(OH)_3+ normal saline, followed by inhalation of atomized 1% ovalbumin solution for 30 min, once daily for 2 weeks to trigger occurrence of asthmatic symptoms.

[Acupoint catgut embedment may reduce airway inflammation reaction by down-regulating ICAM-1 and EOS by suppressing p38MAPK signaling in lung tissue of asthmatic rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedment(ACE) on expression of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and eosinophils (EOS) in lung tissue of asthmatic rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of asthma.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model, ACE and dexamethasone (DEX) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The asthmatic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of mixture suspension (1 mL) of ovalbumin (OVA,10%) and 10% Al (OH)+ normal saline, followed by inhalation of atomized 1% OVA solution for 30 min, once daily for 2 weeks to trigger occurrence of asthmatic symptoms.