Electroacupuncture Induced Spinal Plasticity is Linked to Multiple Gene Expressions in Dorsal Root Deafferented Rats

Efficacy of acupuncture in improving symptoms and quality of life of patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized sham acupuncture-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating the symptoms and quality of life (QoL) of patients with moderate or severe acne vulgaris (AV).

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 12 treatment sessions of acupuncture or sham acupuncture over 4 weeks with 24 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the Skindex-16 scale total score at treatment completion. Secondary outcomes included Skindex-16 subscale score, Dermatology Life Quality Index scale total score, total lesion count and inflammatory lesion count, and visual analogue scale scores for itch and pain evaluation.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant between-group difference for the primary outcome or any secondary outcomes after 4 weeks of treatment and at 16 and 28 weeks of follow-up, except for the Skindex-16 emotions subscale at week 4 (p = 0.026). No serious adverse events occurred in either group.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture may not effectively relieve the symptoms of patients with moderate or severe AV, or improve QoL. Given the limitations of a relatively short treatment course compared to other studies and the likelihood that sham acupuncture is not inert, further studies with treatment durations of 12 weeks or longer and a waitlist (no treatment) control or Western medicine-treated control group should be considered to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on AV.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-1900023649 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).

Electroacupuncture anesthesia for laparotomy in goats

Background

The objective of the study to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture during laparotomy in goats.

Aim

To study the abdominal anesthesia in goats by electroacupuncture using the physiological variables, vital parameters, hematological, biochemical, cortisol hormone, pain threshold, and wound healing for laparotomy in goats.

Methods

Fifteen healthy adult bucks were used to receive electroacupuncture in 10 newly selected acupoints. The data (M ± SD) were assessed at intervals (0 minutes) before induction (control group), (5 minutes), (10 minutes), (15 minutes), and (20 minutes) during induction, (30 minutes), (45 minutes), and (60 minutes) throughout surgery and (24 hours) after surgery, cortisol levels in serum at (0), (24 hours), and (72 hours) throughout laparotomy.

Results

The goats of the study showed improvement in the rates of eyelid closure, head, and neck relaxation, rumen motility, and tympany which were graded into mild (+), moderate (++), and severe (+++) degrees. The respiratory rates, body temperatures, and capillary fill times were not significantly different. The total mean of hematocrit was (19.9 ± 2.68), the total mean of hemoglobin was (9.9 ± 0.94), the total mean of red blood cells was (7.9 ± 0.8), the total mean of platelets was (244,861.3 ± 138,444.8) and the total mean of SPO2 was (70.5 ± 4.6). ALT and AST showed no significance. The significant mean cortisol level was (2.6 ± 2.01) and the significant mean pain threshold level was (0.02 ± 0.03). The results proved that electroacupuncture had a lot of significant parameters. The wound healing was improved by early epithelization and immature granulation tissue (at 7 days). Thick keratinized epithelization and collagen deposition in the dermal tissue with enhanced angiogenesis (at 14 days). Mild restoration of skin and the dermal tissue was well-organized (at 21 days). Besides, well-formed scar tissue covering a highly cellular organized dermal tissue (at 28 days).

Conclusions

Electroacupuncture had been considered a powerful anesthetic for abdominal surgery in goats. Moreover, wound healing proved excellent and better healing.

EA Improves the Motor Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting Signal Transduction of Semaphorin3A and Upregulating of the Peripheral Nerve Networks

Peripheral nerve networks (PNNs) play a vital role in the neural recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Electroacupuncture (EA), as an alternative medicine, has been widely used in SCI and was proven to be effective on neural functional recovery. In this study, the interaction between PNNs and semaphrin3A (Sema3A) in the recovery of the motor function after SCI was observed, and the effect of EA on them was evaluated. After the establishment of the SCI animal model, we found that motor neurons in the ventral horn of the injured spinal cord segment decreased, Nissl bodies were blurry, and PNNs and Sema3A as well as its receptor neuropilin1 (NRP1) aggregated around the central tube of the gray matter of the spinal cord. When we knocked down the expression of Sema3A at the damage site, NRP1 also downregulated, importantly, PNNs concentration decreased, and tenascin-R (TN-R) and aggrecan were also reduced, while the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) motor function score dramatically increased. In addition, when conducting EA stimulation on Jiaji (EX-B2) acupoints, the highly upregulated Sema3A and NRP1 were reversed post-SCI, which can lessen the accumulation of PNNs around the central tube of the spinal cord gray matter, and simultaneously promote the recovery of motor function in rats. These results suggest that EA may further affect the plasticity of PNNs by regulating the Sema3A signal and promoting the recovery of the motor function post-SCI.

Effects and Mechanisms of Acupuncture Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on Neural Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury: Progress and Prospects

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a structural event with devastating consequences worldwide. Due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of the spinal cord in adults, the neural restoration after SCI is difficult. Acupuncture is effective for SCI-induced neurologic deficits, and the potential mechanisms responsible for its effects involve neural protection by the inhibition of inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis. Moreover, acupuncture promotes neural regeneration and axon sprouting by activating multiple cellular signal transduction pathways, such as the Wnt, Notch, and Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathways. Several studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of combining acupuncture with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is superior to either procedure alone. The advantage of the combined treatment is dependent on the ability of acupuncture to enhance the survival of MSCs, promote their differentiation into neurons, and facilitate targeted migration of MSCs to the spinal cord. Additionally, the differentiation of MSCs into neurons overcomes the problem of the shortage of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the acupuncture-treated SCI patients. Therefore, the combination of acupuncture and MSCs transplantation could become a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of SCI. Such a possibility needs to be verified by basic and clinical research.

Electro-acupuncture-induced neuroprotection is associated with activation of the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway following adjacent dorsal root ganglionectomies in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the putative role and underlying mechanisms of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in mediating neuroplasticity in rats subjected to partial dorsal root ganglionectomies following electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment. The rats underwent bilateral removal of the L1-L4 and L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG), sparing the L5 DRG, and were subsequently subjected to 28 days of EA treatment at two paired acupoints, zusanli (ST 36)-xuanzhong (GB 39) and futu (ST 32)-sanyinjiao (SP 6), as the EA Model group. Rats that received partial dorsal root ganglionectomies without EA treatment served as a control (Model group). Subsequently, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-IGF-1, HSV-small interfering (si) RNA-IGF-1 and the associated control vectors were injected into the L5 DRG of rats in the EA Model group. HSV-IGF-1 transfection enhanced EA-induced neuroplasticity, which manifested as partial recovery in locomotor function, remission hyperpathia, growth of DRG-derived spared fibers, increased expression of phosphorylated (p-) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt, and increased pPI3K/PI3K and pAkt/Akt expression ratios. By contrast, HSV-siRNA-IGF-1 treatment attenuated these effects induced by HSV-IGF-1 transfection. The results additionally demonstrated that HSV-IGF-1 transfection augmented the outgrowth of neurites in cultured DRG neurons, and interference of the expression of IGF-1 retarded neurite outgrowth. Co-treatment with a PI3K inhibitor or Akt siRNA inhibited the aforementioned effects induced by the overexpression of IGF-1. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated the crucial roles of IGF-1 in EA-induced neuroplasticity following adjacent dorsal root ganglionectomies in rats via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

The regulatory effect of electro-acupuncture on the expression of NMDA receptors in a SCI rat model

BACKGROUND

In early spinal cord injury (SCI), glutamate receptors, including N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs), are over-stimulated by excessively released glutamate. The enhanced activity of NMDARs may cause cell death by overloading calcium (Ca²⁺) into cells based on their high permeability to Ca²⁺. Studies in SCI animals have shown that treatment with electro-acupuncture (EA) is able to reduce cell death and to improve functional recovery. One possible mechanism of this neuroprotective effect is that EA has regulatory effect on NMDARs.

AIMS

To test whether EA could protect the spinal cord after SCI by decreasing the expression levels of NR1 and NR2A.

MAIN METHODS

We conducted EA treatment on a rat SCI model produced with a New York University (NYU) Impactor and measured hindlimb locomotor function by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale (BBB Scale). The expression of NR1 and NR2, the subunits of NMDARs, in the injured spinal cord was measured by Immunofluorescence stainings, western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

KEY FINDING

Our results showed that two days after the SCI the expression of NR1 and NR2 were dramatically enhanced at both protein and mNRA levels, which were significantly reduced by EA treatment at two specific acupoints, Dazhui (DU14) and Mingmen (DU4).

SIGNIFICANCE

EA is a potential therapeutic method for treating early SCI in human.

Endogenous neurotrophin-3 promotes neuronal sprouting from dorsal root ganglia

In the present study, we investigated the role of endogenous neurotrophin-3 in nerve terminal sprouting 2 months after spinal cord dorsal root rhizotomy. The left L_1–5 and L₇–S₂ dorsal root ganglia in adult cats were exposed and removed, preserving the L₆ dorsal root ganglia. Neurotrophin-3 was mainly expressed in large neurons in the dorsal root ganglia and in some neurons in spinal lamina II. Two months after rhizotomy, the number of neurotrophin-3-positive neurons in the spared dorsal root ganglia and the density of neurite sprouts emerging from these ganglia were increased. Intraperitoneal injection of an antibody against neurotrophin-3 decreased the density of neurite sprouts. These findings suggest that endogenous neurotrophin-3 is involved in spinal cord plasticity and regeneration, and that it promotes axonal sprouting from the dorsal root ganglia after spinal cord dorsal root rhizotomy.

Endogenous TGFβ1 Plays a Crucial Role in Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury Associated with Smad3 Signal in Rats

Transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGFβ1) has a diverse role in astrogliosis and neuronal survival, but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated, especially in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, we show that the expression of TGFβ1 was increased in the pericontusional region, accompanied with astrogliosis and neuronal loss in TBI rats. Moreover, TGFβ1 knockdown not only reduced the number of neurons and inhibited astrogliosis but also resulted in a significant neurological dysfunction in rats with TBI. Subsequently, Smad3, a key downstream signal of TGFβ1, was involved in pericontusional region after TBI. These findings therefore indicate that TGFβ1 is involved in neuroprotection and astrogliosis, via activation of down stream Smad3 signal in the brain after injury.

Acupuncture for treatment of secondary osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury: a controlled study

OBJECTIVE

We explored the effect of adjunctive acupuncture on secondary osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

Patients with subacute SCI were recruited and divided into two groups by patient choice: group 1 patients received standard combination therapy and group 2 patients received combination therapy plus acupuncture for 3 months. The concentrations of IgG, IgM and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) in serum and the bone mineral density were measured before and after treatment.

RESULT

The decrease in the concentration of TNFα and IgM in patients in group 2 compared with those in group 1 was statistically significant. The IgG level showed no significant change in either group. Bone mineral density increased more after adjunctive acupuncture, but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is needed to determine whether acupuncture as an adjunct to combination therapy can reduce osteoporosis in patients with subacute SCI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

P153-2008-36.

The holistic effects of acupuncture treatment

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a complex medical science which reflects philosophical principles and embodies large dialectical thought, is used to place the human body into a large system for observation. Acupuncture as a vital part of TCM, has been practiced to treat various diseases and symptoms. However, acupuncture is also facing severe challenges resulted from insufficient modern scientific research. Nowadays, the holistic effects of acupuncture can be researched by some modern approaches, such as the systems biology and fMRI technique. It is believed that having a better understand will greatly promote acupuncture research and be beneficial to scientization and modernization of acupuncture.

Understanding Acupuncture Based on ZHENG Classification from System Perspective

Acupuncture is an efficient therapy method originated in ancient China, the study of which based on ZHENG classification is a systematic research on understanding its complexity. The system perspective is contributed to understand the essence of phenomena, and, as the coming of the system biology era, broader technology platforms such as omics technologies were established for the objective study of traditional chinese medicine (TCM). Omics technologies could dynamically determine molecular components of various levels, which could achieve a systematic understanding of acupuncture by finding out the relationships of various response parts. After reviewing the literature of acupuncture studied by omics approaches, the following points were found. Firstly, with the help of omics approaches, acupuncture was found to be able to treat diseases by regulating the neuroendocrine immune (NEI) network and the change of which could reflect the global effect of acupuncture. Secondly, the global effect of acupuncture could reflect ZHENG information at certain structure and function levels, which might reveal the mechanism of Meridian and Acupoint Specificity. Furthermore, based on comprehensive ZHENG classification, omics researches could help us understand the action characteristics of acupoints and the molecular mechanisms of their synergistic effect.

Gene Expression Profiles at Moxibustioned Site (ST36): A Microarray Analysis

As a major alternative therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been demonstrated that moxibustion could generate a series of molecular events in blood, spleen, and brain, and so forth. However, what would happen at the moxibustioned site remained unclear. To answer this question, we performed a microarray analysis with skin tissue taken from the moxibustioned site also Zusanli acupoint (ST36) where 15-minute moxibustion stimulation was administrated. The results exhibited 145 upregulated and 72 downregulated genes which responded immediately under physiological conditions, and 255 upregulated and 243 downregulated genes under pathological conditions. Interestingly, most of the pathways and biological processes of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under pathological conditions get involved in immunity, while those under physiological conditions are involved in metabolism.

Electroacupuncture improves thermal and mechanical sensitivities in a rat model of postherpetic neuralgia

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) is effective in relieving pain in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of EA in PHN is still unclear. Systemic injection of resiniferatoxin (RTX), an ultrapotent analog of TRPV1 agonist, in adult rats can reproduce the clinical symptoms of PHN by ablating TRPV1-expressing sensory neurons. In this study, we determined the beneficial effect of EA and the potential mechanisms in this rat model of PHN.

Methods

PHN was induced in rats by a single injection of RTX. Thermal hyperalgesia was tested with a radiant heat stimulus, and mechanical allodynia was quantified with von Frey filaments. TRPV1 receptors were shown by using immunofluorescence labeling. The ultrastructural changes of the sciatic nerve were assessed by electron microscopic examination. The sprouting of myelinated primary afferent terminals into the spinal dorsal horn was mapped by using the transganglionic tracer cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB).

Results

RTX injection diminished thermal sensitivity and gradually induced tactile allodynia within 3 weeks. EA applied to GB30 and GB34 at 2 and 15 Hz, but not 100 Hz, significantly increased the thermal sensitivity 4 weeks after treatment and decreased the tactile allodynia 2 weeks after treatment in RTX-treated rats. EA treatment at 2 and 15 Hz recovered the loss of TRPV1-positive dorsal root ganglion neurons and their central terminals of afferent fibers in the spinal superficial dorsal horn of RTX-treated rats. Moreover, EA significantly reduced the loss of unmyelinated fibers and the damage of the myelinated nerve fibers of RTX-treated rats. Furthermore, EA at 2 and 15 Hz inhibited the sprouting of myelinated primary afferent terminals into the spinal lamina II of RTX-treated rats.

Conclusions

EA treatment improves thermal perception by recovering TRPV1-positive sensory neurons and nerve terminals damaged by RTX. EA Also reduces RTX-induced tactile allodynia by attenuating the damage of myelinated afferent nerves and their abnormal sprouting into the spinal lamina II. Our study provides new information about the mechanisms of the therapeutic actions of EA in the treatment of PHN.

Systems biology of meridians, acupoints, and chinese herbs in disease

Meridians, acupoints, and Chinese herbs are important components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). They have been used for disease treatment and prevention and as alternative and complementary therapies. Systems biology integrates omics data, such as transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolomics data, in order to obtain a more global and complete picture of biological activity. To further understand the existence and functions of the three components above, we reviewed relevant research in the systems biology literature and found many recent studies that indicate the value of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Acupuncture is useful in pain moderation and relieves various symptoms arising from acute spinal cord injury and acute ischemic stroke. Moreover, Chinese herbal extracts have been linked to wound repair, the alleviation of postmenopausal osteoporosis severity, and anti-tumor effects, among others. Different acupoints, variations in treatment duration, and herbal extracts can be used to alleviate various symptoms and conditions and to regulate biological pathways by altering gene and protein expression. Our paper demonstrates how systems biology has helped to establish a platform for investigating the efficacy of TCM in treating different diseases and improving treatment strategies.

A review of Omics research in acupuncture: the relevance and future prospects for understanding the nature of meridians and acupoints

RELEVANCE

Acupuncture is an intrinsic part of traditional Chinese medicine. The current understanding of the acupuncture meridian system, acupoints and the potential utilizing Omics technologies are summarized in this review.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic search for acupuncture involving Omics technologies was carried out using multiple online literature databases. The records retrieved were from the full collections of each database dated to September 2011. Data produced from functional genomic technologies were extracted from the collected acupuncture/moxibustion studies and subjected to evaluation. Analyses and comments were summarized on the advances in experimental research in acupuncture/moxibustion-related studies, and the future for strategies and approaches in the era of functional genomics highlighted.

RESULTS

An overview of articles indicated that several diseases or symptoms with evidence of effectiveness had been piloted for using functional genomic technologies, such as Parkinson's disease, allergic disorders, pain, and spinal cord injury, most of which are chronic "difficult diseases". High-throughput genomic and proteomic profiling of gene expression in tissues has been able to identify potential candidates for the effects of acupuncture and provide valuable information toward understanding the possible mechanisms of the therapy. However, without further holistic and sophisticated analyses in the context of metabolomics and systems biology, the current attempts and the foreseeable developments appear to be insufficient to produce firm conclusions. Noticeably, the recent rapid advances in functional molecular imaging targeting specific metabolites have shown great promise and if combined with other post-genomic technologies, could be extremely helpful for the acupuncture studies in human subjects.

CONCLUSION

This review suggest that disease-oriented studies using the approach of multi-indexed high-throughput technologies and systems biology analyses will be a preferred strategy for future acupuncture/moxibustion research.

Electrophysiological evaluation of sensory and motor pathways after incomplete unilateral spinal cord contusion

OBJECT

Unilateral contusions represent an increasingly popular model for studying the pathways and recovery mechanisms of spinal cord injury (SCI). Current studies rely heavily on motor behavior scoring and histological evidence to make assessments. Electrophysiology represents one way to reliably quantify the functionality of motor pathways. The authors sought to quantify the functional integrity of the bilateral motor and sensory pathways following unilateral SCI by using measurements of motor and somatosensory evoked potentials (MEPs and SSEPs, respectively).

METHODS

Eighteen rats were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving a mild unilateral contusion, a mild midline contusion, or a laminectomy only (control). Contusions were induced at T-8 using a MASCIS impactor. Electrophysiological analysis, motor behavior scoring, and histological quantifications were then performed to identify relationships among pathway conductivity, motor function, and tissue preservation.

RESULTS

Hindlimb MEPs ipsilateral to the injury showed recovery by Day 28 after injury and corresponded to approximately 61% of spared corticospinal tract (CST) tissue. In contrast, MEPs of the midline-injured group did not recover, and correspondingly > 90% of the CST tissue was damaged. Somatosensory evoked potentials showed only a moderate reduction in amplitude, with no difference in latency for the pathways ipsilateral to injury. Furthermore, these SSEPs were significantly better than those of the midline-injured rats for the same amount of white matter damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Motor evoked potential recovery corresponded to the amount of spared CST in unilateral and midline injuries, but motor behavior consistently recovered independent of MEPs. These data support the idea that spared contralateral pathways aid in reducing the functional deficits of injured ipsilateral pathways and further support the idea of CNS plasticity.

Roles of BDNF in spinal neuroplasticity in cats subjected to partial dorsal ganglionectomy

This study investigated the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuroplasticity in cats subjected to the removal of dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Following partial ganglionectomy, the number of BDNF-positive varicosities from spared L6 DRG decreased significantly. This reduction was observed at 3 days post operation (dpo) in spinal lamina II of L3 and L5. Whereas the percentages of positive neurons for BDNF and its mRNA in spared L6 DRG at 10 dpo were significantly increased, and accumulated BDNF was seen on the DRG side of the ligated axons. Importantly, BDNF antibody neutralization in vivo results in a significant reduction in the number of varicosities in spinal lamina II, evidenced by BDNF and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggested that peripheral-derived BDNF could play a critical role in spinal neuroplasticity in cats subjected to partial ganglionectomy. This may underlie the basis of molecular therapy depending on gene drug-like BDNF release.

Effect of a single acupuncture treatment on surgical wound healing in dogs: a randomized, single blinded, controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on wound healing after soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery in dogs.

METHODS

29 dogs were submitted to soft tissue and/or orthopaedic surgeries. Five dogs had two surgical wounds each, so there were totally 34 wounds in the study. All owners received instructions for post operative care as well as antibiotic and pain treatment. The dogs were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Treated dogs received one dry needle acupuncture treatment right after surgery and the control group received no such treatment. A veterinary surgeon that was blinded to the treatment, evaluated the wounds at three and seven days after surgery in regard to oedema (scale 0-3), scabs (yes/no), exudate (yes/no), hematoma (yes/no), dermatitis (yes/no), and aspect of the wound (dry/humid).

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups in the variables evaluated three and seven days after surgery. However, oedema reduced significantly in the group treated with acupuncture at seven days compared to three days after surgery, possibly due the fact that there was more oedema in the treatment group at day three (although this difference was nor significant between groups).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a single acupuncture treatment right after surgery in dogs did not appear to have any beneficial effects in surgical wound healing.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on IGF-I expression in spared dorsal root ganglia and associated spinal dorsal horn in cats subjected to adjacent dorsal root ganglionectomies

The effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) expression in the spared dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and associated spinal dorsal horns were explored in cats subjected to unilateral removal of L(1)-L(5) and L(7)-S(2) DRG, sparing the L(6) DRG. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of IGF-I immunoreactive products in the L(6) DRG neurons and some neurons and glial cells in the spinal cord. Western blot demonstrated that the level of IGF-I was significantly up-regulated both in the spared DRG and the dorsal horns of L(3) and L(6) cord segments at both 7 and 14 days post operation following EA. The present findings demonstrated the association between neuroplasticity and IGF-I expression, suggesting the possible role of IGF-I in EA promoted spinal cord plasticity.

Use of serial analysis of gene expression to reveal the specific regulation of gene expression profile in asthmatic rats treated by acupuncture

BACKGROUND

Asthma has become an important public health issue and approximately 300 million people have suffered from the disease worldwide. Nowadays, the use of acupuncture in asthma is increasing. This study intended to systematically analyze and compare the gene expression profiles between the asthmatic and acupuncture-treated asthmatic rat lung, and tried to gain insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the early airway response (EAR) phase of asthma treated by acupuncture.

METHODS

Four tag libraries of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) were established from lung tissues of control rats (CK), asthmatic rats (AS), asthmatic rats treated by acupuncture (ASAC), and control rats treated by acupuncture (CKAC). Bioinformatic analyses were carried out by using the methods including unsupervised hierarchical clustering, functional annotation tool of the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID), gene ontology (GO) tree machine, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis.

RESULTS

There were totally 186 differentially expressed tags (P < 0.05, P(CK/AS)) between the libraries of CK and AS, 130 differentially expressed tags between libraries of AS/ASAC (P < 0.05, P(AS/ASAC)), and 144 differentially expressed tags between libraries of CK/CKAC (P < 0.05, P(CK/CKAC)). The gene expression profiles of AS and ASAC were more similar than other libraries via unsupervised SAGE clustering. By comparison of P(CK/AS) and P(AS/ASAC), the DAVID genes functional classification was found to be changed from "immune response" to "response to steroid hormone stimulus", and the GO term "antigen processing and presentation of peptide antigen" disappeared in P(AS/ASAC). Totally 3 same KEGG pathways were found among the three groups. Moreover, 21 specific tags of the acupuncture in treating asthma were detected using Venn diagrams.

CONCLUSION

Our SAGE research indicates that the gene expression profile of the EAR phase of asthma could be effectively and specifically regulated by acupuncture, which suggests that the gene expression of immune response and steroid hormone may play an important role in the treatment.