Effect of electroacupuncture on mRNA and protein expression of vitamin D receptor in intestinal mucosa in ovariectomized rats / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR) mRNA and protein expression in ovariectomized rat model,and to explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.Methods Sixty 3-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into operation group and sham group.3 months after osteoporosis model was successfully produced,rats in operation group were randomly divided into model group,EA sham group,EA group and drug group.12 weeks after intervention,bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and femur were detected,then rats were all sacrificed to extract the small intestinal mucosa.VDR mRNA and protein expressions were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting.Results The model of postmenopausal osteoporosis was successfully established.The bone mineral density was significantly improved in EA group and drug group as compared with the model group at 12 weeks after intervention.Western blotting and realtime quantitative PCR showed that small intestinal VDR mRNA and protein expressions were increased in EA group and drug group,but the increment of VDR mRNA expression was less in EA group than in drug group.Conclusions One of the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis may be related with increasing the intestinal VDR mRNA and protein expression levels and enhancing the bioactivity of vitamin D.