Acupuncture alleviates form-deprivation myopia by promoting dopamine secretion and suppressing ferroptosis, potentially involving the PACAP-AC/cAMP pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Acupuncture has shown potential in the clinical treatment of myopia. The research aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in treating myopia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: , reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured using kits. Immunofluorescence and western blot were used to assess tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Western blot was used to analyze retinal AC, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and scleral collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1). RESULTS: , ROS, and MDA levels, and increased GSH, SLC7A11, and GPX4 levels in FDM guinea pigs. These effects were reversed by SQ22536. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture stimulation at BL1 and BL2 alleviates myopia by promoting dopamine secretion and inhibiting ferroptosis, which may be associated with the PACAP-AC/cAMP signaling pathway.