Effects of Electroacupuncture on Autophagy-related Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle in Denervated Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)on denervation-induced atrophy. Methods A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group(n=7),model group(n=7)and EA group (n=7).The latter two groups were cut off their right sciatic nerve.Since one day after modeling,EA group accept-ed electroacupuncture at right Zusanli(ST36)and Huantiao(GB30)for eight weeks.Then,the gastrocnemius of all the rats were obtained,and measured the wet mass ratio.Cross-sectional area(CSA)and fiber diameter were measured after HE staining. The expression of autophagy-related gene ULK1, Atg13, Beclin1, Atg14, Atg7, Atg12,Atg5 and Atg16L1 were tested with reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Compared with the sham group,the wet mass ratio,CSA and fiber diameter of gastrocnemius were lower signifi-cantly in the model group and EA group(P<0.001),and they were more in EA group than in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the sham group,the mRNA expression of ULK1,Atg13,Beclin1,Atg14,Atg7,Atg12,Atg5 and Atg16L1 was more significantly in the model group (P<0.001), and they decreased in EA group compared with those of the model group(P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can inhibit the overexpression of autophagy-related gene in denervated rats,which may steady skeletal muscle cells to delay atrophy.