Page 320 - 2025中醫藥與天然藥物聯合學術研討會-中醫藥與天然藥物的挑戰Ｘ機遇與未來大會手冊

TC-05

Electroacupuncture and fecal microbiota transplantation improve immune

function and gut microbiota in a house dust mite-induced asthma mouse

model

2
3
#,1
Nhan Bao Duy, Chuan-Teng Liu, Ying-Chyi Song, Hung-Rong Yen* ,1,2,4

1 School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University,
Taichung 404328, Taiwan
2 Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China
Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
3 Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical
University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
4 Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404327,
Taiwan
* E-mail: hungrongyen@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Abstract
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation, remodeling,
and hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiota play critical roles
in disease severity. Electroacupuncture (EA) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) have
shown therapeutic potential in asthma, yet the effects of EA on gut microbiota and immune
modulation remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of EA on immune function and
gut microbiota in a house dust mite-induced asthma mouse model. Asthma was induced in
BALB/c mice via house dust mite sensitization and challenge. EA was applied at ST36 and
BL13, and FMT was administered. AHR was assessed, lung histology examined, eosinophils
and cytokines (IL-4, IL-13) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were quantified by flow
cytometry, serum IgE by ELISA, and fecal microbiota composition by 16S rRNA sequencing.
EA significantly reduced AHR, mucus production, eosinophil infiltration, and IL-4/IL-13 levels.
Combined ST36+BL13 stimulation was more effective than single-acupoint treatment. FMT
also reduced AHR and inflammation, lowering pulmonary/systemic IL-4, IL-13, and IgE. EA
tended to decrease the abundance of Clostridia_UCG-014. EA at ST36 and BL13 ameliorates
asthma symptoms by modulating immune responses and altering gut microbiota, supporting its
potential as an adjunctive therapy for asthma.

Keywords: Electroacupuncture; Fecal microbiota transplantation; ST36; BL13; Gut
microbiota