Electroacupuncture reduced lung inflammation after limb blood-flow restoration by activating the sciatic nerve, revealing a nerve-dependent protective pathway.
Male rats were assigned to untreated, limb blood-flow restoration injury, electroacupuncture, sham electroacupuncture, or nerve-severing groups. Electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli and Sanyinjiao points before injury induction, while separate groups underwent sciatic, tibial, or peroneal nerve disconnection. Researchers then assessed blood oxygenation, lung fluid accumulation, tissue damage, and inflammatory markers.
Limb blood-flow restoration caused impaired lung oxygen exchange, fluid accumulation, tissue injury, and increased inflammation. Electroacupuncture improved oxygenation and reduced lung damage and inflammatory activity. Severing the sciatic nerve eliminated these benefits, whereas severing either the tibial or peroneal nerve did not, indicating that sciatic nerve signalling mediates the protective effect.
