Electroacupuncture improves gout arthritis pain via attenuating ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation

• DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00800-1
• Publication Date: 2023-07-18T18:02:54Z
• Authors: Huina Wei; Boyu Liu; Chengyu Yin; Danyi Zeng; Huimin Nie; Yuanyuan Li; Yan Tai; Xiaofen He; Boyi Liu
• Keywords: Inflammation; TRPV1; Other systems of medicine; Gout; Research; Pain; Acupuncture; RZ201-999; 3. Good health; Inflammasome

Abstract Background Gout results from disturbed uric acid metabolism, which causes urate crystal deposition in joints and surrounding tissues. pain management is largely limited to colchicine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Constant usage of these medications leads severe side effects. We previously showed electroacupuncture (EA) effective for relieving animal model gout arthritis. Here we continued study the mechanisms underlying how EA alleviates pain. Methods Monosodium was injected into ankle joint establish arthritis mice. or sham applied at ST36 BL60 acupoints animals. Biochemical assays, immunostaining, live cell Ca 2+ imaging behavioral assays were applied. Results Model mice displayed obvious mechanical allodynia, accompanied with gait impairments. attenuated hypersensitivities improved reduced overexpression NLRP3 inflammasome signaling molecules EA-induced anti-allodynia, as well inhibition on inflammasome, mimicked by antagonizing but abolished activating via pharmacological methods. oxidative stress, an upstream Exogenously increasing stress EA’s inhibitory effect further reversed anti-allodynic effect. neutrophil infiltrations synovium, a major mechanism contributing gout. Pharmacological blocking TRPV1 channel dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. confirmed that could reduce functional enhancement DRG neurons during Conclusions Our demonstrate reduces possibly through suppressing ROS-mediated activation inflamed upregulation sensory neurons, supporting treatment option