Acupuncture Alleviates Neuroinflammation in Chronic Migraine by Modulating Lactobacillus and Its Metabolite Pathways.

BACKGROUND

Chronic migraine (CM) is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder lacking universally effective treatments. Acupuncture has shown significant clinical efficacy, yet its precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in CM, integrating gut microbiota and metabolomic analyses.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: control (Con), CM model (Mod), acupuncture (Acu), model + probiotics (Mod + Pro), model + antibiotics (Mod + Anti), acupuncture + probiotics (Acu + Pro), and acupuncture + antibiotics (Acu + Anti). CM was induced via subcutaneous nitroglycerin injection. Acupuncture was performed for nine days at bilateral Shuaigu (GB8) and Yanglingquan (GB34) points (20 min/day). Probiotics were administered by oral gavage of a mixed Lactobacillus preparation for 9 days; antibiotics were given as an oral cocktail for 2 weeks premodeling. Pain sensitivity and central inflammation were assessed by behavioral tests and ELISA. Gut microbiota and metabolites were profiled using 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics.

RESULTS

Acupuncture alleviated pain hypersensitivity and central inflammation, reversing CM-induced gut dysbiosis, with marked effects on Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus. Metabolomics identified multiple altered metabolites, with strong correlations between Limosilactobacillus and unclassified_Lactobacillaceae and cis-5-dodecenoic acid and dihydrolipoamide. Network analysis revealed Limosilactobacillus as a core node, suggesting modulation of gut-brain axis signaling via specific metabolic pathways. Exogenous Lactobacillus markedly alleviated hyperalgesia and inflammation in model rats, with further analgesic and anti-inflammatory potentiation when combined with acupuncture.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture may exert antimigraine effects by modulating the Lactobacillus-metabolite-inflammation axis, restoring gut homeostasis, and alleviating pain and neuroinflammation. Probiotic supplementation further supports the role of gut microbiota in mediating acupuncture's benefits, offering insight for mechanistic studies and clinical translation.