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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Neuroscience

Acupuncture attenuates hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy: role of the SIRT1/NF-κ B/MAPK signaling axis in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

  • Jing Zhang1
  • Jiali Wu1
  • Peng Wang1
  • Binghui Wang1
  • Songli Li1
  • Guirong Luo1
  • Zichun Xiao1
  • Qingguo Liu1
  1. 1School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
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Abstract

Background: Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications and can induce pathological myocardial hypertrophy. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a key autonomic regulatory center involved in hypertension through sympathetic overactivation, neuroinflammation, and central renin–angiotensin system dysregulation. Although acupuncture exerts protective effects against hypertension-related target organ damage, its central mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated whether acupuncture was associated with the attenuation of hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and whether these effects may involve modulation of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling axis in the PVN.

Methods: Twenty-seven SHRs were randomly assigned to Model, Acupuncture, and Losartan groups ( n = 9 per group), while nine Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats served as Controls. Rats received acupuncture at Taichong (LR3), Baihui (GV20), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) or losartan treatment for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma norepinephrine (NE), cardiac function, myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and PVN-related molecular changes were assessed.

Results: Acupuncture reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and decreased plasma NE levels in SHRs. In the PVN, acupuncture increased SIRT1 expression and inhibited NF-κB p65 expression and MAPK phosphorylation. Moreover, acupuncture suppressed central renin–angiotensin system activation, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance by regulating ACE, AT1R, pro-inflammatory cytokines, GABA, and Glu levels. Echocardiographic and histological analyses demonstrated that acupuncture alleviated myocardial hypertrophy, improved cardiac function, and reduced fibrosis and structural remodeling.

Conclusion: Acupuncture was associated with the attenuation of hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy in SHRs, possibly involving modulation of the PVN SIRT1/NF-κB/MAPK signaling axis. These effects may involve suppression of neuroinflammation and sympathetic overactivation, regulation of the central renin–angiotensin system, and restoration of PVN neurotransmitter balance, providing new insights into the central neural mechanisms underlying acupuncture-mediated cardioprotection in hypertension.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zhang2026acupuncture,
  title = {{Acupuncture attenuates hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy: role of the SIRT1/NF-κ B/MAPK signaling axis in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus}},
  author = {Jing Zhang and Jiali Wu and Peng Wang and Binghui Wang and Songli Li and Guirong Luo and Zichun Xiao and Qingguo Liu},
  journal = {Frontiers in Neuroscience},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fnins.2026.1982426},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2026.1982426/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Acupuncture attenuates hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy: role of the SIRT1/NF-κ B/MAPK signaling axis in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
AU  - Jing Zhang
AU  - Jiali Wu
AU  - Peng Wang
AU  - Binghui Wang
AU  - Songli Li
AU  - Guirong Luo
AU  - Zichun Xiao
AU  - Qingguo Liu
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/14
JO  - Frontiers in Neuroscience
DO  - 10.3389/fnins.2026.1982426
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2026.1982426/full
AB  - Background: Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications and can induce pathological myocardial hypertrophy. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a key autonomic regulatory center involved in hypertension through sympathetic overactivation, neuroinflammation, and central renin–angiotensin system dysregulation. Although acupuncture exerts protective effects against hypertension-related target organ damage, its central mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated whether acupuncture was associated with the attenuation of hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and whether these effects may involve modulation of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling axis in the PVN.  Methods: Twenty-seven SHRs were randomly assigned to Model, Acupuncture, and Losartan groups ( n = 9 per group), while nine Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats served as Controls. Rats received acupuncture at Taichong (LR3), Baihui (GV20), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) or losartan treatment for 12 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma norepinephrine (NE), cardiac function, myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and PVN-related molecular changes were assessed.  Results: Acupuncture reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and decreased plasma NE levels in SHRs. In the PVN, acupuncture increased SIRT1 expression and inhibited NF-κB p65 expression and MAPK phosphorylation. Moreover, acupuncture suppressed central renin–angiotensin system activation, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance by regulating ACE, AT1R, pro-inflammatory cytokines, GABA, and Glu levels. Echocardiographic and histological analyses demonstrated that acupuncture alleviated myocardial hypertrophy, improved cardiac function, and reduced fibrosis and structural remodeling.  Conclusion: Acupuncture was associated with the attenuation of hypertension-induced myocardial hypertrophy in SHRs, possibly involving modulation of the PVN SIRT1/NF-κB/MAPK signaling axis. These effects may involve suppression of neuroinflammation and sympathetic overactivation, regulation of the central renin–angiotensin system, and restoration of PVN neurotransmitter balance, providing new insights into the central neural mechanisms underlying acupuncture-mediated cardioprotection in hypertension.
SN  - 1662-453X
SN  - 1662-4548
ER  -