The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (7): 1084-1090.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.07.023

• Reviews • Previous Articles    

Research progress on the mechanism of TRPV1 in visceral hypersensitivity of IBS-D and acupuncture interventions

Yuanxin MA1,Xiao MEI2,Yunzheng WANG1,Wei WANG()   

  1. *.College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Shandong University of Chinese Medicine,Jinan 250355,China
  • Received:2024-09-29 Online:2025-04-10 Published:2025-04-23
  • Contact: Wei WANG E-mail:smiling365@163.com

Abstract:

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel that is widely distributed in the sensory nerve fibers and non-neuronal cells of the gastrointestinal tract. It plays a critical role in mediating visceral hypersensitivity in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D). Acupuncture activates TRPV1 receptors at the acupoint area, promoting the transformation of physical stimuli at the body surface into chemical signals within the body. This process coordinates with the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems to inhibit the expression of TRPV1 in the viscera through multiple mechanisms and pathways, demonstrating significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of IBS-D. This article reviews the mechanisms of TRPV1 in IBS-D visceral hypersensitivity, focusing on its relationship with the gut-brain axis imbalance, low-grade intestinal inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. It also summarizes the current research on acupuncture targeting TRPV1 in the treatment of IBS-D, aiming to provide scientific evidence and clinical insights for acupuncture therapy in functional diseases.

Key words: TRPV1, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, visceral hypersensitivity, mechanism, acupuncture

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