Current Pharmaceutical Design

Author(s): Xianqiang Yu* and Yingjie Wang

DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666230516164527

Electroacupuncture in Regulating Gastrointestinal Symptoms of COVID-19: A Mini-review

Page: [1163 - 1165] Pages: 3

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still no effective treatment. In the meantime, more and more evidence indicate that gastrointestinal symptoms are important manifestations of COVID-19. Therefore, the involvement of multiple system symptoms brings a lot of burden and harm to patients. To our knowledge, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a remarkable effect on improving gastrointestinal function. In particular, a considerable number of clinical practices during the pandemic have demonstrated the significant value of electroacupuncture (EA) in regulating the gastrointestinal function of COVID-19. In summary, EA can regulate the gastrointestinal function of COVID-19. As more is learned about EA, its potential value in COVID-19 deserves further consideration. In this review, we will elucidate the potential efficacy and mechanism of EA in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19.

[1]
Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet 2020; 395(10223): 497-506.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5] [PMID: 31986264]
[2]
Rothe C, Schunk M, Sothmann P, et al. Transmission of 2019-nCoV infection from an asymptomatic contact in Germany. N Engl J Med 2020; 382(10): 970-1.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2001468] [PMID: 32003551]
[3]
Li R, Pei S, Chen B, et al. Substantial undocumented infection facilitates the rapid dissemination of novel coronavirus (SARS- CoV-2). Science 2020; 368(6490): 489-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abb3221] [PMID: 32179701]
[4]
Wu YC, Chen CS, Chan YJ. The outbreak of COVID-19: An overview. J Chin Med Assoc 2020; 83(3): 217-20.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000270] [PMID: 32134861]
[5]
Cheng H, Wang Y, Wang GQ. Organ-protective effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and its effect on the prognosis of COVID-19. J Med Virol 2020; 92(7): 726-30.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25785] [PMID: 32221983]
[6]
Şi̇mşek Yavuz S, Ünal S. Antiviral treatment of COVID-19. Turk J Med Sci 2020; 50(SI-1): 611-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3906/sag-2004-145] [PMID: 32293834]
[7]
Yin J, Chen JDZ. Gastrointestinal motility disorders and acupuncture. Auton Neurosci 2010; 157(1-2): 31-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.007] [PMID: 20363196]
[8]
World Health Organization. Medicines publications and documentation. Available from: http://apps.who.int/ medicinedocs/en/
[9]
World Health Organization. WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region. Geneva: WHO 2007.
[10]
Stux G, Pomeranz B. Acupuncture: Textbook and Atlas. Springer, Heidelberg, 2012.
[11]
Li Y, Tougas G, Chiverton SG, Hunt RH. The effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal function and disorders. Am J Gastroenterol 1992; 87(10): 1372-81.
[PMID: 1415090]
[12]
Lux G, Hagel J, Bäcker P, et al. Acupuncture inhibits vagal gastric acid secretion stimulated by sham feeding in healthy subjects. Gut 1994; 35(8): 1026-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gut.35.8.1026] [PMID: 7926899]
[13]
Diehl DL. Acupuncture for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. J Altern Complement Med 1999; 5(1): 27-45.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/acm.1999.5.27] [PMID: 10100029]
[14]
Luo W, Wang JY, Liu CL, Huang C. Effect of EA stimulation of “Feishu” (BL 13) on lung index, serum and lung IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels in mice with viral pneumonia. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2014; 39(4): 293-7.
[PMID: 25219125]
[15]
Li J, Zhao Y, Wen Q, Xue Q, Lv J, Li N. EA for severe acute pancreatitis accompanied with paralytic ileus: A randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhenjiu 2016; 36(11): 1126-30.
[PMID: 29231293]
[16]
Wang XY. Electroacupuncture for treatment of acute pancreatitis and its effect on the intestinal permeability of the patient. Zhongguo Zhenjiu 2007; 27(6): 421-3.
[PMID: 17663105]
[17]
Kopel J, Perisetti A, Gajendran M, Boregowda U, Goyal H. Clinical insights into the gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19. Dig Dis Sci 2020; 65(7): 1932-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10620-020-06362-8] [PMID: 32447742]
[18]
CDC. Symptoms of Coronavirus. 2020. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
[19]
Johnson KD, Harris C, Cain JK, Hummer C, Goyal H, Perisetti A. Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Front Med 2020; 7: 526.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00526] [PMID: 32903492]
[20]
Bezerra JA, Pochapin MB, El-Serag HB, Vargo JJ. COVID-19 Clinical Insights for Our Community of Gastroenterologists and Gastroenterology Care Providers. Bethesda: American College of Gastroenterology 2020.
[21]
Zhang J, Dong X, Cao Y, et al. Clinical characteristics of 140 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China. Allergy 2020; 75(7): 1730-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/all.14238] [PMID: 32077115]
[22]
Holshue ML, DeBolt C, Lindquist S, et al. First case of 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States. N Engl J Med 2020; 382(10): 929-36.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2001191] [PMID: 32004427]
[23]
Randazzo W, Truchado P, Cuevas-Ferrando E, Simón P, Allende A, Sánchez G. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater anticipated COVID-19 occurrence in a low prevalence area. Water Res 2020; 181: 115942.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115942] [PMID: 32425251]
[24]
Nebel OT, Fornes MF, Castell DO. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: Incidence and precipitating factors. Am J Dig Dis 1976; 21(11): 953-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01071906] [PMID: 984016]
[25]
Shuai X, Xie P, Liu J, Xiang Y, Li J, Lan Y. Different effects of EA on esophageal motility and serum hormones in cats with esophagitis. Dis Esophagus 2008; 21: 170-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-2050.2007.00757.x] [PMID: 18269654]
[26]
Ouyang H, Xing J, Chen J. EA restores impaired gastric accommodation in vagotomized dogs. Dig Dis Sci 2004; 49: 1418-24.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000042240.05247.01] [PMID: 15481313]
[27]
Tabosa A, Yamamura Y, Forno ER, Mello LE. A comparative study of the effects of EA and moxibustion in the gastrointestinal motility of the rat. Dig Dis Sci 2004; 49: 602-10.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000026305.20852.41] [PMID: 15185864]
[28]
Iwa M, Matsushima M, Nakade Y, Pappas TN, Fujimiya M, Takahashi T. EA at ST-36 accelerates colonic motility and transit in freely moving conscious rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2006; 290: G285-92.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00068.2005] [PMID: 16254048]
[29]
Luo D, Liu S, Xie X, Hou X. EA at acupoint ST-36 promotes contractility of distal colon via a cholinergic pathway in conscious rats. Dig Dis Sci 2008; 53: 689-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9929-7] [PMID: 17768682]
[30]
Liu S, Wang Z, Su Y, et al. A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal–adrenal axis. Nature 2021; 598(7882): 641-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04001-4] [PMID: 34646018]