Electroacupuncture reduced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice by suppressing substance P signalling and limiting immune-cell infiltration.
Researchers induced psoriasis-like skin disease in mice using imiquimod, then applied electroacupuncture daily at Baihui and Xuehai points. They assessed visible lesion severity, examined skin tissue structure and cell proliferation, measured inflammatory signalling molecules, and analysed substance P and neurokinin one receptor expression. They also treated mice with a neurokinin one receptor inhibitor to test whether this pathway contributed to electroacupuncture’s effects.
Electroacupuncture improved skin lesions, reduced epidermal thickening and keratinocyte proliferation, and decreased infiltration by several T-cell populations. It also lowered inflammatory cytokine levels and reduced substance P and neurokinin one receptor expression. Blocking neurokinin one receptor produced similar improvements, supporting substance P signalling as a likely mechanism through which electroacupuncture dampens psoriasis-like inflammation.
