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Yao L, Liu G, Li T, Wang L, Lun Y, Wang X, Xu H, Bai Z. Acupuncture combined with mifepristone improves sex hormones and inflammatory factors in patients with uterine fibroids. Am J Transl Res 2023; 15:5519-5527. [PMID: 37692932 PMCID: PMC10492073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with mifepristone on uterine fibroids and its influence on sex hormones and inflammatory factors. METHODS Data of 102 patients with uterine fibroids admitted to Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 50 patients treated with mifepristone alone (control group) and 52 patients undergoing combined treatment of acupuncture and mifepristone (observation group). After 2 months of continuous treatment, the therapeutic efficacy, volume of uterine fibroids and uterus, levels of inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), as well as levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), along with hemodynamic levels and incidence of adverse reactions were recorded and compared between the two groups. Logistic analysis was employed to identify the independent risk factors for the recurrence of uterine fibroids in patients. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the observation group was identified with significantly higher overall response rate (P < 0.05). The uterine fibroid volume and uterine volume significantly improved in both groups after treatment, and the improvements were more prominent in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the serum CRP and TNF-α were both evidently decreased in the two groups, while levels of E2, FSH, LH and peak blood flow velocity were significantly ameliorated, and the improvements in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05). Alcohol intake and treatment regime were independent risk factors for the recurrence of uterine fibroids in patients. CONCLUSION Combining acupuncture with mifepristone can significantly improve uterine fibroids, estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as reduce inflammation, with a high level of safety, making it a promising treatment for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Yao
- Department of Gynaecology, Shaanxi Weibei Central HospitalNorth Section of West Second Ring Road, Dali County, Weinan 715100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guoqiang Liu
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department I, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineNo. 4, Xihuamen, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ting Li
- Emergency Department, Xi’an International Medical Center HospitalNo. 777, Xitai Road, Chang’an District, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Xi’an International Medical Center HospitalNo. 777, Xitai Road, Chang’an District, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi Lun
- Department of Neurology, Xi’an Huashan Central HospitalNo. 8, 17th Street, Hansenzhai, East Suburb of Xincheng District, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department I, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineNo. 4, Xihuamen, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haiyang Xu
- Postpartum and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Department, Xi’an International Medical Center HospitalNo. 777, Xitai Road, Chang’an District, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhiying Bai
- Department of Gynaecology, The Fourth Hospital of Yulin (The Xingyuan Hospital of Yulin)No. 33, West Renmin Road, Yuyang District, Yulin 719000, Shaanxi, China
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Chen H, Wu C, Lv Q, Li M, Ren L. Targeting Mitochondrial Homeostasis: The Role of Acupuncture in Depression Treatment. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:1741-1753. [PMID: 37546517 PMCID: PMC10404048 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s421540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and a range of physical and cognitive symptoms. It affects people of all ages and can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life. Mitochondrial homeostasis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. Mitochondrial homeostasis includes mitophagy, mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitoptosis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial dynamics. The regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis is the key link in the prevention and treatment of depression. Methods In this article, we focus on the core link of depression-mitochondrial homeostasis and summarize the research progress of acupuncture targeting mitochondrial homeostasis in the treatment of depression in recent years, so as to provide ideas and experimental basis for the research and formulation of more appropriate depression treatment strategies. Results Acupuncture has been found to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis (by modulating mitochondrial autophagy, reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress, inhibiting mitochondrial fission, inducing mitochondrial biogenesis, and maintaining mitochondrial dynamics), alleviate depression-like behavior, and regulate signal pathways and key proteins. Conclusion Here, we highlight the role of acupuncture in the treatment of depression. A comprehensive exploration of the impact of acupuncture on mitochondrial homeostasis could potentially present a novel mechanism for treating depression and offer fresh perspectives for the treatment of patients with clinical depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Chen
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenlin Wu
- Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Lv
- Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingjie Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Ren
- Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
- Mental Disorders Research Laboratory, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, 110847, People’s Republic of China
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Electroacupuncture stimulation of HT7 alleviates sleep disruption following acute caffeine exposure by regulating BDNF-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress in the rat medial septum. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113724. [PMID: 36156370 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture stimulation can protect the brain against caffeine-induced sleep disruption. This study investigated whether electroacupuncture stimulation acupuncture point HT7 alleviates sleep disruption by regulating mBDNF and ER stress in the medial septum. Acute exposure to caffeine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the wake time and decreased REM sleep, which HT7 stimulation alleviated. HT7 stimulation ameliorated the acute caffeine exposure-induced increase in the expression of BiP, an endoplasmic reticulum stress response protein, in the rat medial septum. Interestingly, HT7 stimulation induced the expression of mBDNF and pTrkB in the medial septum. The next experiment investigated whether TrkB phosphorylated by HT7 stimulation induced BiP expression in the rat medial septum. Before electroacupuncture stimulation at HT7, ANA-12 was administered to caffeine-treated rats. In rats administered ANA-12 in the medial septum, HT7 stimulation did not reduce BiP expression. These findings suggest that HT7 stimulation improves wake time and REM sleep dysfunction by regulating the BDNF-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress response in the medial septum. These results indicate that the alleviation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the medial septum by HT7 stimulation and the subsequent amelioration of insomnia may depend on phosphorylated TrkB activation.
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Riveros ME, Ávila A, Schruers K, Ezquer F. Antioxidant Biomolecules and Their Potential for the Treatment of Difficult-to-Treat Depression and Conventional Treatment-Resistant Depression. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:540. [PMID: 35326190 PMCID: PMC8944633 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depression is a devastating disease affecting an increasing number of people from a young age worldwide, a situation that is expected to be worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. New approaches for the treatment of this disease are urgently needed since available treatments are not effective for all patients, take a long time to produce an effect, and are not well-tolerated in many cases; moreover, they are not safe for all patients. There is solid evidence showing that the antioxidant capacity is lower and the oxidative damage is higher in the brains of depressed patients as compared with healthy controls. Mitochondrial disfunction is associated with depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders, and this dysfunction can be an important source of oxidative damage. Additionally, neuroinflammation that is commonly present in the brain of depressive patients highly contributes to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is evidence showing that pro-inflammatory diets can increase depression risk; on the contrary, an anti-inflammatory diet such as the Mediterranean diet can decrease it. Therefore, it is interesting to evaluate the possible role of plant-derived antioxidants in depression treatment and prevention as well as other biomolecules with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential such as the molecules paracrinely secreted by mesenchymal stem cells. In this review, we evaluated the preclinical and clinical evidence showing the potential effects of different antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomolecules as antidepressants, with a focus on difficult-to-treat depression and conventional treatment-resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Eugenia Riveros
- Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile
| | - Alba Ávila
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile;
| | - Koen Schruers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Fernando Ezquer
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile;
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Cheng WJ, Li P, Huang WY, Huang Y, Chen WJ, Chen YP, Shen JL, Chen JK, Long NS, Meng XJ. Acupuncture Relieves Stress-Induced Depressive Behavior by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Neuroapoptosis in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:783056. [PMID: 35058758 PMCID: PMC8763975 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.783056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is closely related to the occurrence of depression. Acupuncture has been proved to be an effective method for treating depression. In order to explore the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of acupuncture, this study performed acupuncture prevention on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model rats, and observed the effect of acupuncture on hippocampal oxidative stress and Nrf2 signaling pathway. Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, CUMS group, acupuncture group, and fluoxetine group (n = 10/group). Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, was used as a positive control drug in this study. In the fluoxetine group, rats were given fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg) intragastrically once a day for 28 days. The acupoints of Shangxing (GV23) and Fengfu (GV16) were applied in acupuncture group, once every other day for 14 times in total. Behavioral tests and biological detections were used to evaluate the effects of the interventions and the changes of factors related to oxidative stress, Nrf2 pathway, and neuronal apoptosis. The results showed that both acupuncture and fluoxetine could increase sugar preference rate in SPT and decrease immobility time in FST in depression model rats. It also significantly decreased oxidative stress products such as ROS and H2O2, and elevated the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1. From Nissl’s staining, there were more abundant nerve cells in two intervention groups compared with CUMS group. Plus, acupuncture down-regulated the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2. Our findings indicate that acupuncture improved depression-like behaviors of CUMS rats. And CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors in rats were related to oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus. Acupuncture showed antidepressant effects in reducing oxidative stress products via regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway so that prevented neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jing Cheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Li
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Ya Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Institute of TCM-Related Comorbid Depression, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wen-Jie Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yi-Ping Chen
- Third Clinical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun-Liang Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jian-Kun Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Na-Sha Long
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xian-Jun Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Xian-Jun Meng,
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Seo SY, Kim SP, Bang SK, Kang SY, Cho SJ, Choi KH, Ryu Y. The effect of acupuncture stimulation on alleviating emotional changes due to acute alcohol administration and the possibility of sigma 1 receptor involvement. Integr Med Res 2020; 10:100497. [PMID: 33384922 PMCID: PMC7689173 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2020.100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most ETOH addiction preclinical studies have focused on the rewards of chronic ETOH self-administration or the ETOH reinstatement model. Acute ETOH administration studies are scarce despite the potential of ETOH to cause sedation, intoxication and reduced acute functional tolerance. Here, we established a rat model of acute ETOH administration induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 1 g/kg ethanol and assessed the similarities in physiological and behavioral effects between acupuncture and Sigma1 R antagonists. Methods Male Wistar rats (300-330 g) received pretreatment with (1) saline injection, (2) saline + mechanical stimulation using a mechanical acupuncture instrument (MAI) for acupuncture at the Shenmen (HT7), (3) ETOH (1 g/kg) injection, (4) ETOH + HT7, or (5) the selective σ1 R antagonist BD 1047 (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (IP) injection). ETOH (1 g/kg) or saline was IP injected after 10 min. Then, ETOH-induced immobility was evaluated in an open field arena, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) indicating ethanol-induced emotional changes were recorded in a recording chamber, and the rats were sacrificed for the analysis of protein levels of σ1 R in several regions of the brain. Results Acute ethanol exposure increased the immobile time, 22-kHz USVs, and protein levels of σ1 R in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, pretreatment with acupuncture at HT7 induced recovery of immobile time, reduced 22-kHz USVs, and regulated the protein levels of σ1 R in the VTA. These effects have similarities with IP injection of BD 1047 (10 mg/kg). Conclusion This study showed that acupuncture at HT7 regulates immobility and 22-kHz USVs via Sigma1 R in the VTA upon acute ETOH exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yeonhee Ryu
- Corresponding author at: Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34054, Korea.
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Oliveira PWC, Couto MR, de Sousa GJ, Peixoto P, Moraes FSA, de Andrade TU, Bissoli NS. Effects of Drugs, Phytoestrogens, Nutrients and Probiotics on Endothelial Dysfunction in the Estrogen-Deficient State. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:3711-3722. [PMID: 32228420 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200331084338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction is commonly present in estrogen-deficient states, e.g., after menopause. In the search for alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), treatments based on phytoestrogens or in non-hormonal mechanisms have been under evaluation. OBJECTIVE Here we aim to present an overview of innovative potential treatments for endothelial dysfunction in estrogen-deficient states, introducing our own preliminary data about the probiotic kefir. METHODS We conducted a review based on a PubMed database search for keywords of interest (Menopause, Ovariectomy, Vascular dysfunction, Hot flashes, Metformin, Statins, Phytoestrogens, Omega-3, Vitamin D, Probiotics). RESULTS Vascular parameters were found to be improved by both metformin and statins through pleiotropic effects, being related to a decrease in oxidative stress and restoration of the nitric oxide pathway. Phytoestrogens such as genistein and resveratrol have also been shown to improve vascular dysfunction, which seems to involve their estrogenic-like actions. Omega-3, vitamin D and its analogues, as well as probiotics, have shown similar vascular beneficial effects in both postmenopausal women and an animal model of ovariectomy (OVX), which could be related to antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, our preliminary data on the probiotic kefir treatment in OVX rats suggested a vascular antioxidant effect. In particular, some evidence points to statins and vitamin D having anti-atherogenic effects. CONCLUSION Pleiotropic effects of common medications and natural compounds could have therapeutic potential for endothelial dysfunction in estrogen-deficient states. They could, therefore, work as future complementary or alternative treatments to HRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phablo Wendell C Oliveira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Mariana R Couto
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Glauciene J de Sousa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Pollyana Peixoto
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Flávia S A Moraes
- Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Nazaré S Bissoli
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
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