Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology
BackgroundIncreasing evidence indicates a bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and sleep regulation via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Acupuncture is widely used to treat insomnia, and its efficacy may be mediated in part by modulation of the gut microbiota and its metabolic pathways...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1541958/full |
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| author | Shangwen Qi Jiahui Qian Yubing Li Yujie Li Wei Li Xiyan Gao Xiyan Gao Xiyan Gao |
| author_facet | Shangwen Qi Jiahui Qian Yubing Li Yujie Li Wei Li Xiyan Gao Xiyan Gao Xiyan Gao |
| author_sort | Shangwen Qi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundIncreasing evidence indicates a bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and sleep regulation via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Acupuncture is widely used to treat insomnia, and its efficacy may be mediated in part by modulation of the gut microbiota and its metabolic pathways.MethodsA rat model of insomnia was established by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA). Rats received acupuncture at Back-Shu points for 2 weeks. Sleep behavior was assessed using the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, and fecal samples were collected for metagenomic sequencing to analyze changes in gut microbial composition and function before and after acupuncture.ResultsCompared with the model group, acupuncture significantly shortened sleep latency and prolonged sleep duration. Metagenomic analysis revealed that acupuncture partially restored the PCPA-induced decline in α-diversity and markedly altered β-diversity. Functionally, acupuncture enriched beneficial taxa such as Lactobacillus johnsonii and Ligilactobacillus murinus, and promoted pathways involved in tryptophan and glutamate metabolism as well as short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis. These changes may act by restoring neurotransmitter balance, strengthening gut barrier integrity, and modulating immune responses. Notably, SCFAs can activate G-protein–coupled receptors to suppress overactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, counteracting insomnia-related pathophysiology.ConclusionAcupuncture at Back-Shu points ameliorates PCPA-induced insomnia-like behavior in rats and beneficially remodels gut microbiota structure and metabolic function. These findings support a key role for the microbiota–gut–brain axis in acupuncture’s regulation of sleep and provide a theoretical basis for developing microbiota-targeted adjunctive therapies for insomnia. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d082ee2587894cb1bfe748da8fc4310f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-d082ee2587894cb1bfe748da8fc4310f2025-08-20T02:37:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-06-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15419581541958Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technologyShangwen Qi0Jiahui Qian1Yubing Li2Yujie Li3Wei Li4Xiyan Gao5Xiyan Gao6Xiyan Gao7Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHenan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHenan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHenan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHenan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaHenan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, ChinaBackgroundIncreasing evidence indicates a bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and sleep regulation via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Acupuncture is widely used to treat insomnia, and its efficacy may be mediated in part by modulation of the gut microbiota and its metabolic pathways.MethodsA rat model of insomnia was established by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA). Rats received acupuncture at Back-Shu points for 2 weeks. Sleep behavior was assessed using the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, and fecal samples were collected for metagenomic sequencing to analyze changes in gut microbial composition and function before and after acupuncture.ResultsCompared with the model group, acupuncture significantly shortened sleep latency and prolonged sleep duration. Metagenomic analysis revealed that acupuncture partially restored the PCPA-induced decline in α-diversity and markedly altered β-diversity. Functionally, acupuncture enriched beneficial taxa such as Lactobacillus johnsonii and Ligilactobacillus murinus, and promoted pathways involved in tryptophan and glutamate metabolism as well as short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) synthesis. These changes may act by restoring neurotransmitter balance, strengthening gut barrier integrity, and modulating immune responses. Notably, SCFAs can activate G-protein–coupled receptors to suppress overactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, counteracting insomnia-related pathophysiology.ConclusionAcupuncture at Back-Shu points ameliorates PCPA-induced insomnia-like behavior in rats and beneficially remodels gut microbiota structure and metabolic function. These findings support a key role for the microbiota–gut–brain axis in acupuncture’s regulation of sleep and provide a theoretical basis for developing microbiota-targeted adjunctive therapies for insomnia.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1541958/fullmetagenomeacupunctureBack-Shu pointsinsomniagut microbiota |
| spellingShingle | Shangwen Qi Jiahui Qian Yubing Li Yujie Li Wei Li Xiyan Gao Xiyan Gao Xiyan Gao Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology Frontiers in Microbiology metagenome acupuncture Back-Shu points insomnia gut microbiota |
| title | Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology |
| title_full | Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology |
| title_fullStr | Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology |
| title_short | Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology |
| title_sort | effect of acupuncture at back shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology |
| topic | metagenome acupuncture Back-Shu points insomnia gut microbiota |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1541958/full |
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