Effects of Electroacupuncture on the Expression of Corticotropin-releasing Factor (CRF) Family and CRF Receptor 1 in Traumatic Injury Rats / 针刺研究

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupunture (EA) on the abnormal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the expression of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) peptides family and CRF receptor (R)1 mRNA in traumatized rats,so as to study its underlying mechanism in improving traumatic injury. Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10),normal+ EA group (n=10),surgical trauma (model) group (n=10),and model+EA group (n=10). Traumatic injury model was established by performing an exploratory laparotomy in the rats under anesthesia. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz,1-2 mA) was administered for 30 min via two stainless steel needles inserted in "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6). Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) ,corticosterone (Cort),luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) contents were detected by double-antibody radioimmnoassay. Hypothalamic CRF and CRF R1 mRNA expression was assayed by reversed transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Results The serum ACTH concentration decreased significantly in model group (P0.05). The serum Cort level increased significantly in model group(P0.05). The expression of hypothalamic CRF mRNA decreased significantly in model group (P0.05). Conclusion EA of "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) can improve surgical trauma-induced HPA disorders,which is probably related to its effects in upregulating CRF mRNA expression and downregulating Ucn 1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus.