Exploration of leech therapy in treating gouty rats and its uric acid lowering mechanism
Research article published in Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine (2024)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gout is a hyperuricemia (HUA)-related inflammatory reaction in the joints. Leech therapy has been effective in the gout, but the exact mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVES: In this study, an exploration of the therapeutic mechanism of leech therapy in HUA and gouty arthritis (GA) rats was done. MATERIAL AND METHODS: HUA and GA construction utilizing sodium urate crystal, the potassium form of oxygen oxazine acid, and adenine. Serum and tissues were collected to measure uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), and urea nitrogen (UN). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was executed to evaluate the levels of xanthine oxidase (XOD), interleukin-6 (IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The expression of glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3), adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette efflux transporter G2 (ABCG2) and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) were assessed by Western blot and visualized in immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: Leech therapy reduces the levels of UA, Cr, and UN as well as the liver and serum levels of XOD activity, increasing the expressions of GLUT9, ABCG2, and OAT3 in the kidney. Meanwhile, it reduces joint swelling and lowers the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TLR2, and NF-kB. CONCLUSIONS: Leech therapy regulates the metabolism of uric acid and treats gouty arthritis with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Gout is a hyperuricemia (HUA)-related inflammatory reaction in the joints. Leech therapy has been effective in the gout, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study directly examined leech therapy in rat models of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis, assessing its effects on uric acid metabolism, renal urate transporters, and inflammatory signaling pathways. The investigators reported that leech therapy reduced serum uric acid, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and xanthine oxidase activity, upregulated renal GLUT9, ABCG2, and OAT3 expression, and decreased joint swelling along with pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TLR2, and NF-κB). These findings are directly relevant to hirudotherapy, offering mechanistic insight into how leech intervention may modulate urate handling and inflammation in gout. However, the results are limited to an induced rodent model and do not establish efficacy, optimal dosing, or safety in humans; clinical translation would require appropriately designed human studies.
Citation
Exploration of leech therapy in treating gouty rats and its uric acid lowering mechanism.
Chao G et al. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2024
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