Acupuncture modulates immunity in sepsis: Toward a science-based protocol

• Published in: Autonomic neuroscience 2021-05, Vol.232, p.102793-102793, Article 102793
• Main Authors: Pan, Wei-Xing, Fan, Arthur Yin, Chen, Shaozong, Alemi, Sarah Faggert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Anti-inflammation; Electroacupuncture; Immune dysfunction; Inflammation; Inflammatory reflex; Nerve stimulation; Sepsis; Somatic-sympathetic reflex; Somatic-vagal reflex
• ISSN: 1566-0702; 1872-7484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102793

Sepsis is a serious medical condition in which immune dysfunction plays a key role. Previous treatments focused on chemotherapy to control immune function; however, a recognized effective compound or treatment has yet to be developed. Recent advances indicate that a neuromodulation approach with nerve stimulation allows developing a therapeutic strategy to control inflammation and improve organ functions in sepsis. As a quick, non-invasive technique of peripheral nerve stimulation, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapy to provide significant advantages for immunomodulation in acute inflammation. Acupuncture obtains its regulatory effect by activating the somatic-autonomic-immune reflexes, including the somatic-sympathetic-splenic reflex, the somatic-sympathetic-adrenal reflex, the somatic-vagal-splenic reflex and the somatic-vagal-adrenal reflex, which produces a systemic effect. The peripheral nerve stimulation also induces local reflexes such as the somatic-sympathetic-lung-reflex, which then produces local effects. These mechanisms offer scientific guidance to design acupuncture protocols for immunomodulation and inflammation control, leading to an evidence-based comprehensive therapy recommendation. •Acupuncture modulates immunity and improves organ functions in sepsis, emerging as a promising therapy of immunomodulation.•Acupuncture obtains its regulatory effect via the somatic-autonomic-immune reflexes.•Such reflexes include the sympathetic-splenic, sympathetic-adrenal, vagal-splenic and vagal-adrenal reflexes, inducing systemic effects.•There are also local reflexes activated by acupuncture, such as the somatic-sympathetic-lung-reflex, inducing local effects.•A comprehensive EA protocol is designed based on the evidenced mechanisms.