Electroacupuncture Inhibits TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Alleviates Trauma in Frostbite

Objective: This study was carried out to examine the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on wound healing and thrombosis in frostbite mice ( Mus musculus ). Furthermore, it preliminarily examined the molecular mechanism of its action. Methods: The mice were divided into Sham group, Frostbite group and Frostbite+EA group randomly. Frostbite mice received EA treatment (1 mA of intensity and 2 Hz of frequency) for 30 min once daily for 21 days. At three weeks, frostbite wound area was calculated. Mice histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Masson staining. The levels of thrombo-related factors, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-K-PGF1α) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels were analyzed using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-α) protein levels were determined using western blot. Results: Compared with frostbite rats, the average wound area of frostbite rats treated with EA was significantly reduced compared with frostbite rats ( p < 0.05). Moreover, the mice skin tissue structure in frostbite+EA group was more complete and clearer, and showed higher levels of collagen than in frostbite group at three weeks after frostbite. In addition, NF-κB, IL-1β, TLR4, TNF-α protein levels in the skin tissue and the TXB2/6-K-PGF1α ratio in serum of frostbite rats significantly decreased after EA treatment ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: EA can promote wound healing, inhibit thrombosis in frostbite mice, possibly via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.