Comprehensive gut microbiota and metabolomics combined with network pharmacology reveal the effects of acupuncture treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Xin Wang, Yue Fan, Yijin Xiang, Shilong Zhang, Yunke Yang
Abstract
Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) significantly impact cancer patients' quality of life. Traditional pharmacological treatments often have limited effectiveness and can cause adverse effects. Acupuncture, a key practice in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), shows promise as a complementary therapy for CINV. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in treating CINV. Methods: We employed a multi-faceted approach to comprehensively explore the abnormal performances of CINV model and to elucidate the regulatory effects of acupuncture in treating CINV through the integration of 16S rRNA analysis, serum metabolomics, and network pharmacology. Results: ) and pathways (PI3K/Akt, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction) associated with the anti-CINV effects of acupuncture. In conclusion, acupuncture holds promise in ameliorating CINV through its multifaceted impact on gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and molecular pathways. Conclusions: Acupuncture was an adjunctive and important non-drug treatment for CINV, with the protective effects linked to the improvement of gut microbiota disruption and metabolic abnormalities.