Transcriptomic Insights into Different Stimulation Intensity of Electroacupuncture in Treating COPD in Rat Models

Lu Liu,1,* Zili Tang,1,* Qian Zeng,1,* Wenchuan Qi,1 Ziyang Zhou,1 Daohong Chen,1 Dingjun Cai,1– 3 Ying Chen,1 Shiqi Sun,1 Siyao Gong,1 Bin He,1 Shuguang Yu,1– 3 Ling Zhao1– 3 1Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ling Zhao; Shuguang Yu, College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, 611137, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 28 6180 0000, Email zhaoling@cdutcm.edu.cn; ysg28588@126.comBackground: Electroacupuncture (EA), with varying stimulation intensities, has demonstrated therapeutic potentials in both animal and clinical studies for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, a comprehensive investigation of the intensity-related effects, particularly 1mA and 3mA of EA, and the underlying mechanisms remains lacking.Methods: A COPD rat model was established by prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and intermittent intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. EA treatment was administered at acupoints BL13 (Feishu) and ST36 (Zusanli), 20 minutes daily for 2 weeks, with intensities of 1mA and 3mA. EA effectiveness was evaluated by pulmonary function, histopathological change, serum level of inflammatory cytokines, and level of oxidative stress markers in serum and lung tissues. Transcriptome profiling and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to reveal gene expression patterns and identify hub genes. Real-time quan