The studies on phosphorylated-p38 MAPK in hypothalamus from restrain stress rat and the regulation of p38 MAPK by electroacupuncture / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of restrain stress on the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase ~MAPK) in rat hypothalamus and the regulation effects of electroacupuncture on the phosphorylated-p38 MAPK. Methods Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into a control group, a restrain stress group and a restrain stress plus electroacupuncture group. The Western blot was employed to observe the changes of phosphorylated-p38MAPK in the three groups. Results Western blot analysis demonstrated a higher level of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in the hypothalamus from restrain stress group than that from control. The higher level of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK could last for 3 hours after stress was relieved. The level of phosphorylated-p38MAPK could be decreased to some extent when the Zusanli acupoint of the restrained rat was acupunctured. The effects of electroacupuncture of Zusanli on phosphorylated-p38MAPK in hypothalamus could still be retained although the electroacupuncture was ended for 3 hours. Conclusion The results suggested that restrain stress can lead to a higher level of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in hypothalamus, which might be an important event in the response of hypothalamic-pitutary-adrenal ~HPA) axis. The mechanism underlying the regulation of HPA by electroacupuncture might be (related) to the regulation of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK in hypothalamus.