[Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos in spinal dorsal horn in rats with interstitial cystitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Ciliao" (BL32) and "Huiyang" (BL35) on the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and cellular oncogene fos (c-fos) phosphorylated of spinal dorsal horn in rats with interstitial cystitis (IC). METHODS: Eighteen female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups, with 6 rats in each group. The IC model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg). EA (30 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral BL32 and BL35 for 20 min, once daily for 3 consecutive days. The bladder pain was measured by using a Von Frey at 48 h after modeling and 24 h after EA. The expression levels of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos protein in L6-S1 segment of spinal cord were detected by Western blot, and the expression of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos in the right spinal dorsal horn were displayed by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: After modeling, the bladder mechanical pain threshold (PT) was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the protein expression of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos in the spinal cord was increased (P<0.05) and the immunofluorescence surface density of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos in the right dorsal horn of spinal cord was increased (P<0.05) in the model group relevant to the control group. After EA intervention, IC-induced reduction of PT, and increases of the expression of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos as well as immunofluorescence surface density of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos were reversed in the EA group relevant to the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at BL 32 and BL 35 has an analgesic effect in IC rats, which may be related to its effect in down-regulating the expression of p-ERK1/2 and c-fos in spinal dorsal horn.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at different acupoints on follicle development and related factors in serum and ovary tissues of PCOS rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on follicle development, expression of gonadotropins and their receptors and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH), inhibin B(INHB) in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of PCOS. METHODS: Sixty female SD rats were randomized into six groups: control, model, Zusanli(ST36), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Guanyuan(CV4) and combination (ST36+SP6+CV4, n=10 rats/group). The PCOS model was established by gavage of Letrozole solution (1.0 mg/kg) once daily for 21 consecutive days. Rats of the control group were given 1% Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC, 1 mg/kg). EA (2 Hz) was applied to ST36, SP6, or/and CV4 for 20 min, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The number of follicles was counted, and the ovarian structure and follicular development were observed under light microscope after H.E. stain, and the contents of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), AMH, and INHB were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the ratio of LH/FSH was calcula-ted. The immunoactivity of LH receptor (LHR) and FSH receptor (FSHR) proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After modeling, the number of follicles at the growth stage, contents of serum LH, AMH and INHB, and ratio of LH/FSH were significantly increased, and serum FSH level and FSHR, LHR immunoactivity were remarkably decreased in the model group relevant to the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Following EA intervention, the number of follicles at the growth stage in the SP6, CV4 and combination groups, LH/FSH ratio and serum AMH levels in the 4 EA groups, INHB contents in the ST36, CV4 and combination groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while serum FSH contents in the 4 EA groups, FSHR immunoactivity at the early stage in the ST36 group and LHR immunoactivity at both early and late stages in the ST36 and CV4 groups were considerably increased in comparison with those of the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of SP6 was significantly superior to that of CV4 in down-regulating serum LH level (P<0.01), but significantly inferior to that of CV4 in up-regulating serum FSH content and in down-regulating LH/FSH ratio and serum AMH and INHB levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). The effect of CV4 was comparable to that of ST36 in up-regulating serum FSH, and in down-regulating serum LH/FSH ratio, AMH and INHB levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of CV4, SP6, ST36 and ST36+CV4+SP6 can reduce the number of follicles at the growth stage and regulate the expression levels of gonadotropins in PCOS rats. The effects of EA of CV4 and ST36 are evidently better than those of EA of SP6 in up-regulating serum FSH content and in down-regulating LH/FSH ratio, and serum AMH and INHB levels, and EA of SP6 is evidently superior to EA of CV4 down-regulating LH level, but without synergistic effect among the 3 acupoints.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture at Different Acupoints on Steroid Hormones and Ovarian Androgen Receptor Expression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on hyperandrogenism and ovarian androgen receptor (AR) expression in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of PCOS. METHODS: Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and comprehensive groups (10 rats/group). The PCOS model was established by giving (gavage) the animals with Letrozole solution (1.0 mg/kg), once daily for 21 consecutive days. EA stimulation was applied to ST 36, SP 6, or CV 4 respectively, once daily for 14 days. The comprehensive group was treated by EA treatment of the abovementioned three acupoints in the meantime. Before and after the treatment, the body mass and the ovary weight were measured. The morphological structure of the ovary was observed under microscope after H．E. staining. The levels of serum hormone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were assayed by ELISA. Free androgen index (FAI) was calculated and the expression of AR in the ovary was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After modeling, the body mass, ovary weight, serum testosterone (T) and FAI levels and the expression of AR protein in late ovarian follicles were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and serum estradiol (E2) and SHBG contents were significantly decreased relevant to the control group (P<0.01). Following EA intervention and compared with the model group, the body weight of each EA group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), the ovarian pathological changes were improved, and serum T and FAI levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and serum E2 and SHBG contents significantly increased in the ST 36, CV 4 and comprehensive groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The ovary weight of only CV 4 group was significantly lower than that of the model group (P<0.01). The expression of AR protein in late follicles of both CV 4 and SP 6 groups was markedly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA at ST 36, SP 6, and CV 4 all can improve the hyperandrogenism and ovarian polycystic morphological changes of PCOS rats, while different acupoints have different functional characteristics.