J Tradit Chin Med. 2026 Aug;46(4):907-915. doi: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.04.011.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antihypertensive effect and mechanism of acupuncture at Renying (ST9) and Zusanli (ST36) from the perspective of gut microbiota.
METHODS: Eighteen male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly divided into the SHR group, the acupuncture group (SHR + A), the sham acupuncture group (SHR + SA), and six Wistar-Kyoto rats were set up as the normotensive control group. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing was performed to characterize changes in the gut microbiota. Blood samples were collected to measure inflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the degree of colonic damage. Western blotting was performed to evaluate intestinal inflammation.
RESULTS: We observed that acupuncture at acupoints Renying (ST9) and Zusanli (ST36) reduced blood pressure in SHRs, modulated microbial beta diversity, increased the abundance of beneficial genera, and reshaped the composition of the intestinal microbiota. In addition, hypertension induced pathological changes in the intestine, along with inflammation and increased permeability. By contrast, acupuncture treatment decreased serum inflammatory cytokine levels and inhibited activation of the toll-like receptor 4/ nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway in SHRs, thereby restoring intestinal barrier integrity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental results indicate that acupuncture exerts a hypotensive effect that is associated with modulation of intestinal inflammation and microbiota, which may offer a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
PMID:42639775 | DOI:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.04.011