ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on diaphragm function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats with muscular dystrophy, and to explore the regulatory mechanism. Methods Forty male rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, electroacupuncture group, exercise group, electroacupuncture plus exercise group, 8 rats in each group. After successful establishment of COPD rat model with muscular dystrophy, the modeled rats in various intervention groups were given electroacupuncture and/or exercise treatment. After the last treatment, the changes of rat body mass were observed, the rat lung function was detected, and the mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chains (MHC) of MHC-1, MHC-2 and diaphragmatic related signal proteins of Atrogin-1, muscle ring-finger protein-1(MuRF-1), MyoD were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results (1) Compared with the blank group, inspiratory resistance (IR) and functional residual mass (FRC) in the model group were increased (P < 0.05) , and the dynamic lung compliance(Cydn) was decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, IR and FRC in the intervention groups were decreased (P < 0.05), but the differences among the three intervention groups were insignificant(P>0.05). (2) Compared with the blank group, the mRNA expression levels of MHC-1, Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD in the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression level of MHC-2 was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of MHC-1, Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD in the intervention groups were decreased (P < 0.05) , and the mRNA expression level of MHC-2 was increased(P<0.05). Compared with the exercise group, the mRNA expression levels of Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD in the electroacupuncture group were decreased (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression level of MHC-2 was increased (P<0.05) , but the above indexes in electroacupuncture plus exercise group showed no obvious changes(P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve respiratory function of COPD rats with muscular dystrophy, and the possible mechanism is related with the increase of MHC-2 mRNA expression and with the decrease of Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD mRNA expression, which result into the regulation of ubiquitin proteasome pathway(UPP), reduction of myosin loss, and the relief of diaphragmatic atrophy.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of acupuncture on improving the peripheral skeletal muscle exercise ability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-four patients were randomly divided into an observation group (24 cases) and a control group (20 cases). Based on regular western medication treatment and aerobic training, acupuncture was used in the observation group and placebo acupuncture was used in the control group. The acupoints selected were Danzhong (CV 17), Rugen (ST 18), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), etc., 2-3 times per week, and totally 14 treatments were given. The body mass index (BMI), average distance and average maximum heart rate recorded during bicycle exercise, six-min walking distance (6-MWD), maximum power (Wmax) and maximum heart rate (HRmax) recorded during exercise cardiopulmonary function test, and pulmonary function index including forced expiratory volume in one second/estimate value (FEV1%), forced vital capacity/estimate value (FVC%), FEV1/FVC and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were observed in both groups before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BMI before and after treatment in the observation group was not significantly changed (>0.05), while that in the control group was significantly reduced (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the average distance of bicycle exercise, 6-MWD, Wmax, FEV1%, FVC% and MVV were significantly improved after treatment in the observation group (<0.01,<0.05), which were all superior to those in the control group (<0.01,<0.05). The treatment outcomes in the control group were not significantly changed after treatment (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture combined with aerobic training of bicycle and conventional western medication could prevent the reducing of BMI in patients with COPD at stable phase, improve pulmonary ventilation function, and increase the function of peripheral skeletal muscle to improve its performance.</p>