The Research Progress on the Role of Adenosine A1 Receptors in Acupuncture Analgesia Mechanism

Acupuncture analgesia has become a key focus of acupuncture research in recent years, and the role of adenosine receptors in acupuncture-induced analgesia requires further investigation. Adenosine (ADO) is an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, which exerts different physiological effects by binding to various adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A2A, A2B, A3), playing a particularly significant role in pain regulation and acupuncture analgesia. Among these, adenosine has the highest affinity for the A1 receptor (A1R), and the binding of adenosine to A1R plays a crucial role in the transmission and modulation of pain signals. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture analgesia is associated with the adenosine A1 receptor. This study briefly introduces the distribution and functions of adenosine and adenosine A1 receptors, with a focus on the involvement of adenosine A1 receptors in pain modulation at both the central and peripheral levels. It aims to provide insights into the further exploration of the pain mechanisms of adenosine A1 receptors in both the peripheral and central systems and their role in acupuncture-induced analgesia.