Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42005520›Full record

ArticleContemporary clinical trials communications2026

Activating the vagus nerve-adrenal anti-inflammatory axis to delay aging: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

Chong Sun, Meihong Fu, Jiao Liu, Kebing Zheng, Shaoping Chen, Lunsha Deng, Yanping Zhuang, Kai Wang, Ruibao Ren, Chao Liang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Contemporary clinical trials communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Chong SunDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Haikou, 570000, China.
Meihong FuInternational Center for Aging and Cancer, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570000, China.
Jiao LiuDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Haikou, 570000, China.
Kebing ZhengDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Haikou, 570000, China.
Shaoping ChenDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Haikou, 570000, China.
Lunsha DengInternational Center for Aging and Cancer, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570000, China.
Yanping ZhuangInternational Center for Aging and Cancer, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570000, China.
Kai WangInternational Center for Aging and Cancer, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570000, China.
Ruibao RenInternational Center for Aging and Cancer, Hainan Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 570000, China.
Chao LiangDepartment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Haikou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Haikou, 570000, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Aging is a primary risk factor for chronic diseases, yet safe and effective interventions remain limited. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) highlights the role of acupuncture in health preservation, with ST36 (Zusanli) being a key acupoint for longevity. Preclinical studies suggest ST36 acupuncture modulates inflammation and oxidative stress, but robust clinical evidence is lacking. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of ST36 acupuncture in delaying aging and preventing age-related diseases through biomarkers and clinical outcomes. Methods: A single-center, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial will enroll 120 healthy participants aged 45-70 years. Participants will be allocated to manual acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or blank control groups. The intervention involves 36 sessions over 12 weeks. Primary outcomes include aging biomarkers (DNA methylation, plasma cytokines) and 3D facial/thermal imaging for biological age estimation. Secondary outcomes assess quality of life (SF-36) and sleep quality (PSQI). Adverse events will be systematically documented. Discussion: This study will provide evidence on the anti-aging effects of ST36 acupuncture and its potential integration into preventive healthcare. Results may inform strategies to address global aging challenges and promote healthy longevity. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2500101531. Registered on 27 April 2025.

Indexed as

AcupunctureAging biomarkersPreventive medicineRandomized controlled trialST36 (Zusanli)

Identifiers

PMID42005520
PMCPMC13091359

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.