Protein array analysis of cytokine levels on the action of acupuncture in carrageenan-induced inflammation

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture on acute paw edema induced by carrageenan (CR) injection and to detect differential cytokine responses in response to acupuncture stimulation using protein array technology.

Methods: Control group was injected with CR (1%, 50 mul) into the plantar surface of the male Sprague-Dawley rats. Acupuncture group was stimulated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) 30 minutes after CR injection. Rat cytokine antibody array coated with 19 specific cytokine antibodies were probed with protein samples and the relative cytokine levels were investigated.

Results: Acupuncture stimulation significantly inhibited the inflammatory response to CR injection. Compared to control group, three cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), showed significantly decreased expression levels in the acupuncture group. The other 16 cytokines did not exhibit significant changes between two groups.

Conclusion: These results indicate that acupuncture markedly inhibited CR-induced edema and modulated the expressions of certain cytokines in response to CR-induced inflammation. These findings might give us a clue in elucidating the underlying mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture.