Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent chronic inflammatory bowel disease and its clinical assessment relies mainly on invasive examinations with a delayed response. The acupoint sensitization theory proposes that visceral pathological states can dynamically manifest at specific body surface sites through segmental neural connections, presenting as functional or morphological changes in acupoints. This article outlines the pathological progression of UC, and then systematically reviews the clinical manifestations and neurobiological mechanisms of acupoint sensitization, covering multiple layers including viscero-somatic afferent convergence and spinal segmental sensitization, cutaneous neurogenic inflammation and peripheral sensitization amplification, sympathetic-sensory coupling and bidirectional somato-visceral modulation. On this basis, combined with limited existing clinical outcomes of acupoint sensitization in UC patients, the potential application value of this theory in UC disease assessment and acupuncture intervention is tentatively discussed. Finally, this paper points out the shortcomings of current research on acupoint sensitization in UC and proposes that future studies should focus on sensitization characterization of UC at different stages and lesion locations, as well as their correlations with disease activity. It also suggests that the development of multimodal and quantitative detection devices will advance the translational application of the acupoint sensitization theory in precise acupuncture treatment for UC. 溃疡性结肠炎(UC)是一种以反复发作为特征的慢性炎症性肠病, 其临床评估主要依赖有创检查且存在滞后性.穴位敏化理论认为, 内脏病理状态可通过神经节段性联系动态反映于体表特定部位, 表现为穴位功能或形态的改变.本文首先梳理了UC的病理演变特点;其次, 系统综述了穴位敏化的临床表现及其神经生物学机制, 包括内脏-躯体传入汇聚与脊髓节段敏化,体表神经源性炎症与外周敏化放大,交感-感觉偶联与躯体-内脏双向调控等多个层面.在此基础上, 结合目前有限的UC相关穴位敏化临床观察, 初步探讨了该理论在UC病情评估与针灸干预中的潜在应用价值.最后, 本文指出当前UC穴位敏化研究的不足, 提出未来应在UC不同分期,不同病变部位的敏化特征及其与疾病活动度的关联等方面加强研究, 并通过研发多模态,定量化的体表敏化检测设备, 推动穴位敏化理论在UC针灸精准治疗中的转化应用.
Cheng et al. (Sun,) studied this question.