Acupoint catgut embedding ameliorates laparotomy-induced cognitive decline in aged mice by restoring gut microbiota

ACE alleviates POCD probably by modulating gut microbiota, specifically increasing g-Clostridia_UCG-014 abundance and metabolite IPA. These effects are potentially mediated by dual pathways: (a) suppression of neuroinflammation via TLR4/NF-κB signaling, and (b) enhancement of gut barrier integrity via AhR/IL-22 axis. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of ACE in targeting the gut-brain axis for POCD management.