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| Research progress on the autonomic neuromodulation mechanisms of acupuncture in treating inflammatory bowel disease |
| Hits 113 Download times 71 Received:March 12, 2026 |
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| DOI
10.11656/j.issn.1673-9043.2026.08.14 |
| Key Words
inflammatory bowel disease;acupuncture;autonomic nervous system;immune regulation |
| Author Name | Affiliation | E-mail | | LI Xue | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | ZHAO Yining | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | LI Feiyang | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | YANG Yuanzhen | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | WANG Jiaqi | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | GONG Yinan | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | 1457907206@qq.com | | XU Zhifang | School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | |
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| Abstract
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| The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) has been rising annually，closely linked to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. In traditional Chinese medicine，IBD falls into categories such as“dysentery”and “diarrhea”，with its pathogenesis rooted in spleen deficiency and damp heat accumulation in the intestine. Acupuncture treats IBD by regulating autonomic function. Electroacupuncture at Zusanli（ST36） inhibits sympathetic sensory coupling and elevates norepinephrine levels to reduce inflammation. Simultaneously，it activates the vagus nerve and its cholinergic anti inflammatory pathway，suppressing inflammatory cytokine secretion and repairing the intestinal barrier. Acupoint selection is primarily based on the Stomach Meridian of FootYangming，combined with local and distal points，embodying the holistic regulatory concept of TCM. Additionally， acupuncture modulates immune cell balance（such as the Th17/Treg ratio）and promotes mucosal repair，exerting multi-target，bidirectional regulatory effects. This review systematically summarizes the autonomic mechanisms of acupuncture in IBD treatment，providing scientific evidence for its clinical application. |
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