Preclinical (rat model) · PMID 41964134
Acupuncture regulates gut microbiota and metabolites in a rat model of chronic migraine — VialBase Research
Acupuncture modulated serum VIP levels alongside 5-HT and CGRP in chronic migraine rats
Last updated · 2026 · Zheng H, Wang Z, Wei SJ, Huang LX, Han M, Zhang YK, Bai WJ, Han J · Acupuncture in Medicine
Key findings
- Acupuncture modulated serum VIP levels alongside 5-HT and CGRP in chronic migraine rats
- VIP is a key brain-gut peptide mediating migraine chronification
- Gut microbial community structure and metabolic profile changed in migraine model
- Acupuncture modulated 10 gut microbial genera and 13 fecal metabolites
- Gut-brain axis plays important role in migraine chronification
PMID 41964134 — VIP in Gut-Brain Axis Migraine Model
Compound: VIP Citation: Zheng H et al. Acupunct Med. 2026 Apr 10. doi:10.1177/09645284261423204
Summary
Investigated the role of brain-gut peptides (VIP, 5-HT, CGRP) and gut microbiome in chronic migraine using a nitroglycerin-induced rat model.
Key Findings
- VIP is identified as one of three key brain-gut peptides (with 5-HT and CGRP) altered in chronic migraine
- Acupuncture regulated serum VIP levels alongside gut microbial changes
- Gut-brain axis dysregulation contributes to migraine chronification
- 16S rDNA sequencing + LC-MS metabolomics revealed interconnected changes
Relevance to VIP
Reinforces VIP’s role as a critical gut-brain axis mediator. VIP dysfunction may contribute to migraine pathophysiology, and VIP modulation (whether by acupuncture or exogenous VIP) could have therapeutic implications for chronic pain conditions.
See Also
- Parent compound: VIP