[Electroacupuncture improves lung function by suppressing mucin-5AC mediated EGFR-p38MAPK signaling and inflammation reaction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli"(ST36) on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) transfer growth factor α(TGF-α), interleukin-8(IL-8), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK), mucin-5AC (MUC5AC) and other related factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats, so as to reveal its underlying mechanisms in improving COPD. METHODS: A total of thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model and EA groups, with 10 rats in each group. The COPD model was replicated using a combined method of tracheal infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and forced smoke-inhaling. EA (1-3 mA, 4 Hz/20 Hz) was applied to bilateral ST36 for 30 min, once daily for two consecutive weeks. The lung ventilation activities including the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV) at 0.1 and 0.3 s (FEV0.1, FEV0.3) were detected. Histopathological changes of the middle lobe and bronchus of the right lung were observed after H.E. staining. The contents of TGF-α, TNF-α and IL-8 in the serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and superior lobe of the right lung were assayed by using ELISA, and the expression levels of EGFR, p38MAPK and MUC5AC proteins (inferior lobe of the left lung) and mRNAs (inferior lobe of the right lung) detected using Western blot, immunohistochemistry (strept avidin-biotin complex, SABC method) and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the FVC, FEV0.1, FEV0.3, FEV0.1/FVC and FEV0.3/FVC levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the contents of TNF-α, TGF-α and IL-8 in the serum, BALF and lung tissues, expression levels of EGFR, p38MAPK and MUC5AC mRNAs and proteins, and the immunoactivity of EGFR, p38MAPK and MUC5AC in the lung tissues were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). After EA intervention, the decreased levels of the FVC, FEV0.1, FEV0.3, FEV0.1/FVC and FEV0.3/FVC, and the increased levels of the abovementioned genes and proteins were all reversed in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After modeling, the bronchial walls were thickened, with enlarged alveolar cavities, fractured alveolar walls, obvious inflammatory cell infiltration, and rich mucus secretion in the lumen, which was relatively milder in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA of ST36 can improve the ventilation function in COPD rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the levels of TNF-α, TGF-α, IL-8, EGFR, p38MAPK and MUC5AC mRNAs and proteins in the lung tissues, inhibiting EGFR-p38MAPK signaling mediated expression of MUC5AC.

[Effects of acupuncture on expression of norepinephrine transporter mRNA in the cervical sympathetic ganglion and beta1-AR mRNA in the heart in cerebral-cardiac syndrome rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on the expression of norepinephrine transporter (NET) mRNA in the middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex (MC-SGC) and beta1-adrenergic receptor (beta1-AR) mRNA in the left ventricular myocardium in cerebral-cardiac syndrome (CCS) rats, so as to study its underlying mechanism in the prevention and treatment of CCS. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation, model and EA groups (n=6). CCS model was duplicated by intravenous injection of 1 microL of saline containing collagenase (1 U/microL) + heparin (7 U/microL) into the caudate nucleus. EA (2 Hz, 5 V) was applied to "Shuigou" (GV 26)-"Fengfu" (GV 16), and "Neiguan" (PC 6)-"Xinshu" (BL 15) for 20 min, once daily for 3 days. Seventy-two hours after modeling, pathological changes of the brain and cardiac tissues were observed after sectioning and stained with HE method. The expression of MC-SGC NET mRNA and the myocardial p1-AR mRNA of the left ventricle were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS: (1) In comparison with the model group, the number of the exuded red blood cells in the brain tissue around the caudate Nucleus region was fewer, the severity of the tissue edema, cell necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration lighter in the EA group. Compared with the model group, the severity of degeneration and necrosis of myocytes was lighter and the number of the broken cardiac smooth muscle fewer in the EA group. (2) The expression levels of both MC-SGC NET mRNA and myocardial beta1-AR mRNA were significantly lower in the model group than in the sham operation group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of both MC-SGC NET mRNA and myocardial beta1-AR mRNA were upregulated considerably in the EA group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA of GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 can upregulate the expression of both MC-SGC NET mRNA and myocardial beta1-AR mRNA in CCS rats which may contribute to its effect in the prevention and treatment of CCS syndrome.

[Relatively specific effect of electroacupuncture of different acupoints on hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitters in myocardial ischemia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Shenmen" (HT 7), "Neiguan" (PC 6), etc. on monoamine neurotransmitter contents of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) region in myocardial ischemia (MI) rats, so as to analyze the substantial basis of efficacy specificity of acupoints in improving MI. METHODS: SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, EA-Shenmen (HT7), EA-Neiguan (PC 6) and EA-Taiyuan (LU 9) groups (n = 10/group). MI model was duplicated by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. EA (2 Hz, 1. 1 mA) was applied to left "Shenmen" (HT 7), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Taiyuan" (LU 9) for 10 min, once daily for 3 days. The hypothalamic PVN region tissue was collected for assaying the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal control group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in hypothalamic PVN in the model group were decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in hypothalamic PVN in the EA-Neiguan (PC 6) and EA-Shenmen (HT 7) groups, and that of NE in the EA-Taiyuan (LU 9) group were increased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The effects of EA-Neiguan (PC 6) and EA-Shenmen (HT 7) were significantly superior to that of EA-Taiyuan (LU 9) in increasing the contents of hypothalamic NE, DA and 5-HT (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture of PC 6 and HT 7 can suppress MI-induced decrease of NE, DA and 5-HT contents in the hypothalamic PVN region in rats, which may contribute to its effect in resisting myocardial ischemia. The effects of EA-PC 6 and EA-HT 7 are superior to those of EA-LU 9.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) on cardiac function in acute myocardial ischemia rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Taichong" (LR 3) on mechnical activities of the heart in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rabbits. METHODS: Fifty chinchilla rabbits were randomized into normal control, model, EA-PC 6, EA-LR 3 and non-acupoint groups (n = 8/group). AMI model was duplicated by intravenous injection (femoral vein) of posterior pituitrin (3 U/kg). The maximal ascending velocity (+ dp/dt max), maximal descending velocity (-dp/dt max) and left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) of the heart were recorded by using Biopac Bio-signal system. EA (1 mA, 2 Hz) was applied to PC 6, LR 3 and non-acupoint for 10 min. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, + dp/dt max, - dp/dt max and LVSP of the heart in model group reduced significantly (P < 0.01); while in comparison with model group, left ventricular + dp/dt max and - dp/dt max at 10 min after EA in EA-PC 6 and EA-LR 3 groups increased markedly (P < 0.01), and LVSP of EA-PC 6 group increased remarkably (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between EA-non-acupoint group and model group in the above-mentioned 3 indexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both EA of PC 6 and LR 3 points can improve AMI induced reduction of the left ventricular myocardial mechanical activities in the rabbit, and the therapeutic effect of EA-PC 6 is superior to that of EA-LR 3.

[Study on the mechanism of electroacupuncture of different acupoint groups in the treatment of cerebrocardiac syndrome in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoint groups on heart rate variability (HRV) and cerebral glutamate (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp) contents in cerebrocardiac syndrome (CCS) rats. METHODS: A total of 52 Wistar rats were randomized into normal (n = 8), sham-operation (sham, n = 8), model (n = 12), Shuigou-Fengfu (GV 26-GV 16, n = 12), and Neiguan-Xinshu (PC 6-BL 15, n = 12) groups. CCS model was established by intracerebral (Caudate nucleus) injection of clostridiopeptidase (1 U/microl) plus heparin (7 U/microl). EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 for 20 min, once daily for 3 days. Cerebral Glu and Asp contents were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, and HRV was analyzed by SMUP Software. RESULTS: In comparison with normal and sham groups, the R-R interval (RRI) of electrocardiogram and total variability (TV) of HRV, cerebral Glu and Asp contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the ratio of low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) decreased evidently (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, RRI and TV values, and cerebral Glu and Asp contents of EA of GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 groups reduced markedly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), LF/HF of the later two groups increased evidently (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 groups in RRI, TV and LF/HF of HRV, and cerebral Glu and Asp contents (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of both GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 can effectively improve CCS in rats, which is closely associated with their effects in lowering cerebral Glu and Asp levels and in suppressing the excitability of sympathetic nerve.

[Study on effects of acupuncture at the heart meridian on gene expression pattern of heart in rats with acute myocardial ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the mechanism of acupuncture at the Heart meridian in treatment of myocardial ischemia from gene level. METHODS: A model of acute myocardial ischemia was made by ligation of left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Changes of gene expression pattern of the Lung meridian group, the Heart meridian group and the model group in the heart were compared. RESULTS: Differential expression genes and expression sequence tags (ESTs) were 14 with signal log ratio > or = 1 and 20 with signal log ratio < or = -1, mainly included immunological and inflammatory reaction relative genes, cell signal transduction and transferrin relative genes, and others, in the Lung meridian group vs the model group. Differential expression genes and ESTs were 20 with signal log ratio > or = 1 and 70 with signal log ratio < or = -1, mainly included ion channel and transport protein relative genes, cell apoptosis and stress reaction protein relative genes, metabolism relative genes, cell signal transduction and transferrin relative genes, DNA's binding, transcription and transcriptional factor relative genes, immunological and inflammatory reaction relative genes, and others, in the Heart meridian group vs the model group. CONCLUSION: In number and types of differential expression genes and ESTs with signal log ratio > or = 1 or < or = -1, the changes in the Heart meridian group vs the model group were obviously different from those in the Lung meridian group vs the model group, indicating that the Heart meridian has relative specificity in protecting against acute myocardial ischemia.