Electroacupuncture alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via serum exosomal miR-22-3p - Report - MDSpire

Electroacupuncture alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via serum exosomal miR-22-3p

  • By

  • Jian Xiong

  • Ying Wei

  • Yunnan Liu

  • Fayang Ling

  • Yi Zhao

  • Yu Liu

  • Yuxin Sun

  • Dehua Li

  • Mingsheng Sun

  • Dingjun Cai

  • Wenchuan Qi

  • Qianhua Zheng

  • Fanrong Liang

  • June 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Electroacupuncture Reduces Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Overview

This study demonstrates that electroacupuncture (EA) mitigates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis through the upregulation of serum exosomal miR-22-3p.

Background

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a significant complication following reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction, leading to further myocardial damage. The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical role in mediating cardiomyocyte pyroptosis, contributing to the pathophysiology of MIRI.

Data Highlights

Assessment MethodFindings
Cardiac FunctionImproved post-EA
Myocardial Infarction AreaReduced post-EA
Serum Myocardial EnzymesLower levels post-EA
Inflammatory FactorsDecreased post-EA
miR-22-3p LevelsSignificantly upregulated post-EA

Key Findings

  • Electroacupuncture significantly reduces myocardial infarction area and improves cardiac function in MIRI models.
  • EA inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis.
  • Serum exosomes from EA-treated subjects show increased levels of miR-22-3p.
  • miR-22-3p targets NLRP3 to mitigate myocardial injury.
  • Western blotting and RT-qPCR confirm the downregulation of NLRP3-related apoptosis markers following EA.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians may consider the role of serum exosomal miR-22-3p as a potential biomarker for assessing the efficacy of interventions targeting MIRI.

Conclusion

Electroacupuncture demonstrates a protective effect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway through serum exosomal miR-22-3p.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers | Electroacupuncture alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via serum exosomal miR-22-3p
  2. Frontiers in Neurology — Exosomal lncRNA MIAT enriched in M2 macrophages contributes to electroacupuncture-driven peripheral nerve regeneration through targeting MiR-130a-3p/KLF7
  3. Frontiers in Immunology — The immune-cardiovascular metabolic circuitry in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: from metabolic signal release to spatiotemporal reprogramming
  4. Basic Research in Cardiology — Targeting Inflammatory Cells and Their Non-Coding RNAs for Myocardial Infarction Treatment
  5. Basic Research in Cardiology — Exploring Extracellular Vesicle-Derived MicroRNAs: A Comparison of Cardioprotection and Regeneration
  6. 2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines | JACC
  7. Effect of remote ischaemic conditioning on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (CONDI-2/ERIC-PPCI): a single-blind randomised controlled trial - PMC
  8. Canakinumab Anti-Inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study - American College of Cardiology
  9. Pyroptosis in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion and its therapeutic implications - ScienceDirect
  10. Phase 1B, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Dose Escalation, Single-Center, Repeat Dose Safety and Pharmacodynamics Study of the Oral NLRP3 Inhibitor Dapansutrile in Subjects With NYHA II–III Systolic Heart Failure - PMC
  11. Reperfusion Injury in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: JACC Scientific Statement - ScienceDirect
  12. Frontiers | Electroacupuncture alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via serum exosomal miR-22-3p
  13. Frontiers | Electroacupuncture Pretreatment Mitigates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via XBP1/GRP78/Akt Pathway
  14. Frontiers | Electroacupuncture for slow flow/no-reflow in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Original Source(s)

Electroacupuncture alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cardiomyocyte pyroptosis via serum exosomal miR-22-3p

  • by Jian Xiong, Ying Wei, Yunnan Liu, Fayang Ling, Yi Zhao, Yu Liu, Yuxin Sun, Dehua Li, Mingsheng Sun, Dingjun Cai, Wenchuan Qi, Qianhua Zheng, Fanrong Liang

  • June 1, 2026

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