ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on body weight, insulin resistance, hypothalamic agouti gene-related protein (AGRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in diet induced obesity (DIO) rats; To discuss its mechanism for DIO.Methods Fifty SD male rats were randomly divided into low fat diet groups (LFD) and high fat diet group. After the DIO models were established, the successful model rats were randomly divided into model group, EA group and Orlistat (OLST) group. EA was applied to “Zusanli” (ST36) and “Quchi” (LI11) for 20 minutes. The treatment was done once a day for 28 days. OLST was treated with orlistat by gavage. LFD and model did not receive treatment. Body weight was recorded every day. FPG and FINS were detected. The expressions of AGRP and NPY were detected by RT-QPCR. Morphological changes of adipocyte and liver were examined by HE staining.Results The body weight, HOMA-IR, AGRP, NPY and diameter of adipocyte of EA group and OLST group were significantly lower than model group (P<0.05), difference between EA group and OLST group. The states of hepatic steatosis were improved in EA group and OLST group.Conclusion EA has the effects on weight loss by inhibiting the expressions of AGRP and NPY by improving IR.
ABSTRACT
Purpose Polymorphisms of candidate gene Agouti was analyzed in order to reveal the molecular mech -anisms of coat color difference in chromosome engineering mice .Methods Firstly, differences of mouse coat color was detected by color measurement spectrophotometer .Then, candidate gene Agouti was found by whole genome scanning based on DNA chip.Finally, cDNA and amino acid sequence polymorphisms were analyzed , as well as the influence of protein properties and function after mutation was predicted by bioinformatics software .Results There are five SNPs in the Agou-ti cDNA sequences , resulting in three missense mutations in the amino acid sequence of Agouti signaling protein .Bioinfor-matics analysis revealed that one βsheet deletion in the secondary structure of the mutant protein , as well as tertiary struc-ture changed , leading to decrease of binding ability .Conclusion A novel missense mutation is found in candidate Agouti gene.It plays critical role in receptor binding activity , and may reflect on mice coat color changing from light gray to dark gray eventually .