Inflammatory pain and electroacupuncture: how the P2X3 receptor can help modulate inflammation-a review of current literature.

AIM: Inflammatory pain arises from tissue stress or injury and is initiated by signaling molecules that stimulate the immune and nervous systems. Evidence suggests that purinergic signaling pathways can modulate pain and inflammation through the activation of P1 and P2 purinergic receptors, such as the P2X3 receptor, which are stimulated by extracellular molecules like adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Electroacupuncture (EA) exhibits precise mechanisms that modulate inflammatory pain through the activation of the P2X3 receptor. OBJECTIVE: This review analyzed evidence regarding the role of electroacupuncture and the purinergic system, particularly the P2X3 receptor, in modulating inflammation and pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search for the most relevant articles available in the SciVerse Scopus and MEDLINE/PubMed databases was conducted for publications from 1995 to 2024. Articles were initially selected by reading the title, abstract, and main text, respectively. RESULTS: It was found that the P2X3 receptor, as well as the molecules activating purinergic receptors, such as ATP and adenosine, have the potential to regulate pain and inflammation. Additionally, EA can modulate the purinergic system in an anti-inflammatory response. EA may stimulate analgesia mainly through the conversion of ATP to adenosine, a crucial molecule in pain control. CONCLUSION: The purinergic system directly influences inflammatory pain and controls inflammation. In this context, EA has the potential to orchestrate this system to control pain and inflammation.