16S rRNA gene sequencing of the duodenal microbiota in functional dyspepsia rats with electroacupuncture intervention

This study employed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the duodenal microbiota in a rat model of functional dyspepsia (FD). The primary goal was to investigate the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on FD and to elucidate the potential role of the vagus nerve in mediating these effects. To achieve this, we compared the microbial profiles across five experimental groups: normal controls, FD model rats, FD rats treated with EA, FD rats undergoing subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, and FD rats receiving both vagotomy and EA treatment. By analyzing the composition and diversity of the duodenal bacterial community, this research aims to determine whether the beneficial effects of EA on FD symptoms are associated with the modulation of gut microbiota and, crucially, whether such modulation depends on intact vagal signaling. The findings are expected to provide novel insights into the gut-brain axis mechanisms of acupuncture in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders.