[Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on hypothalamus'-pituitary-ovary axis in perimenopausal rats].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) on hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis in perimenopausal rats so as to study its underlying mechanisms in improving dysfunction of HPO axis. METHODS: Eight female SD rats with an age of 3 months were used as the normal control group, other 16 perimenopausal SD rats with an age of 11-15 months were equally randomized into model group and EA group. The menopause model was confirmed by vaginal smear tests for successive 15 days. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) for 20 min, once every other day for 30 days. After the treatment, the rats' hypothalamus, pituitary and left ovary tissues were collected for detecting the contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the ovary E2 content of the model group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the pituitary FSH and LH contents, and hypothalamic GnRH content were obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Following EA intervention, the ovary E2 level was obviously elevated (P < 0.05), while pituitary FSH and LH and hypothalamic GnRH levels were significantly down-regulated in comparison with the model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) can suppress menopause-induced down-regulation of ovary E2 and increase of pituitary FSH and LH and hypothalamic GnRH levels in perimenopausal rats, suggesting a favorable regulation of EA on HPO axis dysfunction.