Electroacupuncture at LI11 and SP10 attenuates inflammation and pruritus in a rat model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-like urticaria via mast cell modulation related to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on mast cell activation and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-related signaling in skin tissue using a rat model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA)-like urticaria.

METHODS

An immunoglobulin E (IgE)/high-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (FcεRI)-mediated PCA-like urticaria model was established in rats by anti-ovalbumin serum injection followed by ovalbumin challenge. Rats were randomly divided into negative control, model, EA, Cap (capsaicin + model), and Cap + EA groups. Capsaicin was administered subcutaneously in the Cap and Cap + EA groups to activate cutaneous TRPV1. After model establishment, rats in the EA and Cap + EA groups underwent EA stimulation at LI11 (Quchi) and SP10 (Xuehai) for seven consecutive days. Urticarial responses were assessed using Evans blue dye extravasation, wheal area, and scratching bouts. Histopathological changes were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin staining, and mast cell numbers were quantified by toluidine blue staining. Mast cell-derived mediators in sensitized skin and serum cytokine levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analyses were performed to assess TRPV1-related protein expression.

RESULTS

EA significantly alleviated inflammatory responses and pruritic behavior in rats in the ovalbumin-induced PCA-like urticaria model. Histopathological examination revealed marked attenuation of skin lesions and reduced mast cell-associated pathological changes following EA. ELISA demonstrated decreased levels of mast cell-derived mediators in sensitized skin, accompanied by reduced serum inflammatory cytokine levels. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analyses further showed that EA suppressed TRPV1-related protein expression and mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses.

CONCLUSION

EA at LI11 and SP10 alleviates local inflammation and pruritus in a PCA-like urticaria model, with effects associated with mast cell regulation and modulation of TRPV1-related signaling. Please cite this article as: Zhao Y, You LX, Zhang JY, Wang W, Li SJ, Li JQ. Electroacupuncture at LI11 and SP10 attenuates inflammation and pruritus in a rat model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-like urticaria via mast cell modulation related to transient receptor potential vanilloid 1. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.