Acupuncture modulates immunity in sepsis: Toward a science-based protocol

作者：Wei‐Xing Pan, Arthur Yin Fan, Shaozong Chen, Sarah Faggert Alemi · 发表于：Autonomic Neuroscience · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102793 · 被引用次数：48 · 研究领域：Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research、Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies、Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Sepsis is a serious medical condition in which immune dysfunction plays a key role. Previous treatments focused on chemotherapy to control immune function; however, a recognized effective compound or treatment has yet to be developed. Recent advances indicate that a neuromodulation approach with nerve stimulation allows developing a therapeutic strategy to control inflammation and improve organ functions in sepsis. As a quick, non-invasive technique of peripheral nerve stimulation, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapy to provide significant advantages for immunomodulation in acute inflammation. Acupuncture obtains its regulatory effect by activating the somatic-autonomic-immune reflexes, including the somatic-sympathetic-splenic reflex, the somatic-sympathetic-adrenal reflex, the somatic-vagal-splenic reflex and the somatic-vagal-adrenal reflex, which produces a systemic effect. The peripheral nerve stimulation also induces local reflexes such as the somatic-sympathetic-lung-reflex, which then produces local effects. These mechanisms offer scientific guidance to design acupuncture protocols for immunomodulation and inflammation control, leading to an evidence-based comprehensive therapy recommendation.