Electroacupuncture alleviates overactive bladder by modulating Piezo2 mediated sensory neurons activity

Zhang Z1, Song Q2, Li X3, Wu R2, Shen W4, Zhou Q4, Chen Y3, Tang K1

Research Type

Pure and Applied Science / Translational

Abstract Category

Overactive Bladder

Abstract 353
Open Discussion ePosters
Scientific Open Discussion Session 101
Thursday 18th September 2025
10:35 - 10:40 (ePoster Station 2)
Exhibition
Overactive Bladder Physiotherapy Neuromodulation Animal Study Molecular Biology
1. School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China, 2. Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, 3. Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China, 4. School of Life Science and Technology & Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
Presenter
Z

Zhilin Zhang
School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Links

Abstract

Hypothesis / aims of study 
Electroacupuncture (EA) has shown therapeutic potential for overactive bladder (OAB), however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The Piezo2 channel is one of the key mechanoreceptors to detect bladder filling status and has been linked to the pathogenesis of OAB. The aim of this study was to investigated the role of the Piezo2 pathway in mediating the treatment effects of EA on OAB.
Study design, materials and methods 
This study employed intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CYP, 60 mg/kg) to induce overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Twenty-four female SD rats (7-week-old, 200-220g) were randomly divided into CYP group, Sham CYP group, CYP＆electroacupuncture (EA) group and CYP＆Non-acupoint electroacupuncture(NEA) group. The EA treatment consisted of five days of needling (with a frequency of 2 Hz and an intensity of 1 mA for 20 min) in bilateral Ciliao (BL32, located in the 2nd posterior sacral foramen), while NEA treatment consisted of five days of needling in bilateral nonacupiont (located at 1mm lateral from Ciliao). The EA-induced bladder functional changes were assessed by voiding spots test and cystometry. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were performed to detect the protein expression of Piezo2 in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). RNAscope was used to quantify the mRNA expression levels of Piezo2 in DRG. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining was conducted to determine the expression of c-Fos in the dorsal horn of the L6-S1 spinal cord segments.
Results 
After five days of EA treatment, the number of urination spots in OAB rats is significantly reduced, intercontraction interval, bladder compliance and bladder contractions in OAB rats were also significantly improved, with no significant difference compared with sham CYP group. However, NEA took no effect on bladder function, which is similar to that in CYP group. In addition, EA instead of NEA significantly reduced the mean gray value of the green channel in bladder sensory neurons labeled with Dil in DRGs, and downregulated the protein expression of Piezo2 in DRGs .EA treatment also decreased the number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn.
Interpretation of results 
EA treatment significantly reduced the urination frequency of OAB rats and improved the functional indices  of bladder storage phase. Moreover, EA treatment decreased the Piezo2 mRNA level in bladder sensory neurons and the expression of Piezo2 in DRG. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn indicated the afferent input activity was reduced by EA treatment in line with the relieved bladder overactivity.
Concluding message 
EA at Ciliao acupoints alleviates bladder overactivity and in an OAB rat model, possibly by downregulating the expression of the Piezo2 channel and reducing bladder sensory neuronal activity. Further research will focus on how Piezo2 channel is activated by EA through regulating upstream mechanosensory signals.
Figure 1 Representative images of bladder pressure curves and comparison of urodynamic parameters in each group
Figure 2 Comparison of Piezo2 protein expression in DRG in each group
Figure 3 Comparison of the number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn in each group
Disclosures
Funding This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82270819), the Project of Integra- tive Chinese and Western Medicine (Grant No. ZXXT-202206), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2023YFC3606001), Clinical Trial No Subjects Animal Species Mouse Ethics Committee Experimental Animal Ethics Committee, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
02/07/2025 03:28:26