P2X7 and P2Y1 receptors in DRG mediate electroacupuncture to inhibit peripheral sensitization in rats with IBS visceral pain

Lv T, Li G, Zhao C, Ma J, Zhang F, Zhao M, Liu H, Wu H, Li K, Weng Z · Purinergic Signalling · 2024 June 26

Objective

To investigate whether interactions among P2X7R, P2Y1R, and P2X3R in colon-related dorsal root ganglion neurons mediate the inhibition of peripheral sensitization and visceral hypersensitivity by electroacupuncture in rats with irritable bowel syndrome.

Conclusions

The study concludes that electroacupuncture alleviates visceral hypersensitivity through a P2X7R→P2Y1R→P2X3R inhibitory pathway in dorsal root ganglion neurons, with satellite glial cells contributing to the regulation of neuronal electrophysiological properties.

Critical Appraisal

Published research can offer valuable insights, but a paper’s conclusions may go beyond what its results support. Critical appraisal examines the methods, findings and limitations to clarify what can reasonably be concluded—and what remains uncertain.

This article has not yet been critically appraised by the Research Hub.

Learn more about Critical Appraisal

Insights

Electroacupuncture may relieve irritable bowel pain by coordinating sensory neuron and supporting cell receptors to suppress peripheral pain sensitization.

Rats developed bowel hypersensitivity after receiving a colon irritant. Researchers applied electroacupuncture at Zusanli and Sanyinjiao points, labelled colon-connected sensory neurons, and combined behavioural, tissue, electrical recording, drug-blocking, and molecular techniques to examine receptor interactions in sensory ganglia. Electroacupuncture reduced bowel pain sensitivity and altered communication between sensory neurons and surrounding supporting cells. It suppressed the pain-promoting purinergic receptor seven pathway, enhanced the pain-relieving purinergic receptor one pathway, and ultimately inhibited purinergic receptor three, reducing neuronal excitability and peripheral sensitization.