Effects of Acupuncture Therapy on Intestinal Mucosal Epithelial Cell Apoptosis in Patients With Severe Cerebral Stroke

This study aimed to examine the effects of acupuncture on the apoptosis of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells in patients with severe cerebral stroke. Serum collected from patients with severe cerebral stroke was used to induce an in vitro model of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells on the first, third, and seventh days of treatment. Cell viability and apoptosis levels were assessed using the MTT assay and flow cytometry, allowing for the assessment of the state of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells before and after treatment. After ex vivo induction with patient serum, the results from the MTT assay demonstrated that by the seventh day of treatment, the growth curve of cells in the treatment group resembled that of the healthy control group more closely. On the third day, both the treatment and control groups exhibited cell growth inhibition. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of total apoptosis in the control group compared with the treatment group on both the third and seventh days ( P < 0.05). Intragroup comparisons indicated that the highest apoptotic levels occurred on the third day, while the lowest levels were observed on the seventh day, with both differences reaching statistical significance ( P < 0.05). On the third day, monolayer dense cells exhibited notable edema, reduced brightness, and widened intercellular gaps in the control group. Acupuncture therapy enhances intestinal mucosal barrier function in patients with severe cerebral stroke by decreasing apoptosis of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells.