Effect of acupuncture treatment on experimental psoriasis in mice: immunologic aspect
Authors: Jorge Maria Lucia , Cretella Ananda Beatriz , Soley Bruna Silva , Pawloski Priscila Lucia , Otuki Michel Fleith , Cabrini Daniela Almeida 
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects approximately 2 to 3 % of the global population. In fact, it is an autoimmune disease probably guided by a complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors. The homeostasis of this process is kept by the permanent control between fibroblasts of the dermis, keratinocytes of the epidermis and the cells of the immune system, residents and recruited. The inflammatory condition is established through activated dendritic cells, effectors T cells generated and attracted to skin tissue and, epithelial cells. In the psoriatic dermis is denoted the enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes, resultants from the chronic inflammation and by the increase of nerve growth factor release. Treatments varied between immunotherapies, as are perceptions of benefit and collateral damage. Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, and it is known a positive stimulation in the pathological cases of immunosuppression, and vice‐versa, in cases of inflammation and autoimmune diseases where occurs the suppression of the process. In spite of several studies about the effects of acupuncture in the immune response, there are few works of the evaluation of this therapy in the inflammation processes and autoimmune diseases treatment, such as psoriasis.

Objective

This study proposes to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on experimental psoriasis in mice.

Methods

The study was performed using females Balb/C mice (20 – 30 g), which were randomly sorted into two groups: control (4) and psoriasis induced (20). The induction of psoriasis was performed in the Imiquimod (IMQ) mouse model. They received during nine days, on the shaved back, a dose of 62.5 mg of commercially available IMQ cream (5%) (Aldara; 3M Pharmaceuticals). Animals treated with IMQ (with psoriasis) were detached to receive acupuncture treatment (10). It was applied acupuncture of Tung's method, adopting 88.17, 88.18 and 88.19 points during seven consecutive days, starting on day 3 of IMQ. To analyze psoriasis characteristics, a scoring system based on the clinical Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were taken adopting erythema, scaling, and thickening on a scale from 0 to 4: 0, none; 1, slight; 2, moderate; 3, marked; 4, very marked. It was collected fragments of hurt tissue for histological study, and spleen, adrenal glands, axial and inguinal lymph nodes were weighed. Statistic tests ANOVA one way.

Results

Treatment with IMQ caused a significant (p< 0.05) increase of spleen weight when compared to Control. The acupuncture application reduced the increase of spleen weight (P<0.05). The analysis of PASI highlights the effect of acupuncture in the inflammatory disease associated to IMQ. All parameters evaluated (erythema, scaling and thickening) show a increase in score by IMQ treatment when compared to control. Acupuncture application caused reduction in thickening score in comparison to IMQ alone. Scaling score was slightly reduced by acupuncture. Further analysis need to be done in order to understand deeper influence of acupuncture on inflammatory skin disease.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results indicate that acupuncture deserves to be studied deeply due its potential therapeutic role and, that experimental model of psoriasis confers the qualified instrument for its study.

Support or Funding Information

Laboratory of Skin Pharmacology and Physiopathology, Department of Pharmacology, UFPR