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Ma Y, Niu E, Xie F, Liu M, Sun M, Peng Y, Guo H. Electroacupuncture reactivates estrogen receptors to restore the neuroprotective effect of estrogen against cerebral ischemic stroke in long-term ovariectomized rats. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2316. [PMID: 34473429 PMCID: PMC8553307 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke is a sexually dimorphic disease and a leading cause of death and disability. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) confers beneficial neuroprotective effects if administered within a widely accepted time window called the "critical period." However, very few studies have explored the idea of modulating the critical period to enable long-term post-menopausal women to regain more benefits from estrogen therapy. Here, motivated by previous findings that electroacupuncture could both alter estrogen metabolism and induce significant tolerance against stroke, it was explored whether EA could restore estrogen's neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia in long-term ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS We implemented 1 week(w)-EA pretreatment on OVX-10w or OVX-20w rats, and tested the expression of estrogen receptors, and detected the ERT's neuroprotection against stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). RESULTS We found that the expression levels of phospho-ERα-S118 and estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the striatum of OVX-10w rats were significantly decreased and ERT's neuroprotection was abolished in the OVX-10w rats. However, EA-1w pretreatment could significantly recover the expression levels of phospho-ERα-S118 and ERβ, and also restored the neuroprotective effects of ERT in OVX-10w rats. However, EA-1w pretreatment could not restore the expression of estrogen receptors and ERT's neuroprotection in OVX-20w rats. CONCLUSION Taken together, our study indicates that EA may be an easy intervention that can restore the efficacy of estrogen therapy during the "critical period," which has the potential to improve the stroke outcomes of an enormous number of long-term post-menopausal women. However, the time-sensitive influences for how EA and estrogen metabolism interact with each other should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Erlong Niu
- Department of Orthopedics, 305 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Peng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Wei JA, Hu X, Zhang B, Liu L, Chen K, So KF, Li M, Zhang L. Electroacupuncture activates inhibitory neural circuits in the somatosensory cortex to relieve neuropathic pain. iScience 2021; 24:102066. [PMID: 33554069 PMCID: PMC7859294 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has been accepted to effectively relieve neuropathic pain. Current knowledge of its neural modulation mainly covers the spinal cord and subcortical nuclei, with little evidence from the cortical regions. Using in vivo two-photon imaging in mice with chronic constriction injury, we found that EA treatment systemically modulated the Ca2+ activity of neural circuits in the primary somatosensory cortex, including the suppression of excitatory pyramidal neurons, potentiation of GABAergic somatostatin-positive interneurons, and suppression of vasoactive intestinal peptide-positive interneurons. Furthermore, EA-mediated alleviation of pain hypersensitivity and cortical modulation were dependent on the activation of endocannabinoid receptor 1. These findings collectively reveal a cortical circuit involved in relieving mechanical or thermal hypersensitivity under neuropathic pain and identify one molecular pathway directing analgesic effects of EA. Electroacupuncture (EA) relieves mechanical hypersensitivity in neuropathic pain EA restores normal excitatory-inhibitory transmission in sensory cortex Endocannabinoid pathway underlies EA's effects via modulating inhibitory circuits
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-An Wei
- Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xuefei Hu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Borui Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Linglin Liu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kai Chen
- Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China.,Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China.,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510530, P. R. China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou 510515, P. R. China.,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510530, P. R. China
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Acupoint stimulation and Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2020; 41:101244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Huang L, Chen Y, Luo M, Tang Y, Wei S. Acupuncture for patients with premature ovarian insufficiency: A systematic review protocol. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e15444. [PMID: 31045813 PMCID: PMC6504249 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000015444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a difficult-to-treat gynecological disorder with complex etiologies. Although acupuncture has gained increased popularity for the management of POI, evidence regarding its efficacy is lacking. This systematic review protocol aims to describe a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with POI. METHODS The following 10 databases will be searched from the publishment to July 2019: PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Digital Periodicals, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database database), 1 Korean medical database (KoreaMed), 1 Japanese medical database (National Institute of Informatics). The primary outcomes will be the resumption of menstruation and the serum FSH levels, and the secondary outcomes include the serum Estradiol levels, anti-Mullerian hormone levels, antral follicle count, follicular growth, endometrial thickness, and adverse events. We will use RevMan V.5.3 to conduct the meta-analysis, if possible. If it is not allowed, a descriptive analysis or a subgroup analysis will be conducted. Risk ratio for dichotomous data and mean differences or standardized mean differences for continuous data will be calculated with 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model or a fixed effects model. RESULTS This study will provide the latest analysis of the currently available evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in treating POI. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019125996.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Huang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Yu Chen
- College of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Mei Luo
- College of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Yancai Tang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Shaobin Wei
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Ma S, Li D, Jiang J, Shen B. Role of the Medial Preoptic Area in Electroacupuncture Treatment of Reproductive Dysfunction in Ovariectomised Rats. Acupunct Med 2018; 35:52-58. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2015-010839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the role of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus in electroacupuncture (EA) treatment of reproductive dysfunction in ovariectomised (OVX) rats and to examine the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods 62 female Sprague-Dawley rats (200–220 g) underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Three weeks later, 32 rats assigned to experiment 1 were randomly divided into four groups: two groups underwent MPOA lesioning (n=16) followed by EA at CV4, CV3, SP6 and bilateral Zigong (30 min per day) for 3 days (OVX+MPOA+EA group, n=8) or no treatment (OVX+MPOA group, n=8); and two groups underwent sham (S) surgery (n=16) followed by EA (OVX+SMPOA+EA group, n=8) or no treatment (OVX+SMPOA group, n=8). Plasma oestradiol and luteinising hormone (LH) were measured by radioimmunoassay and mature vaginal epithelial cells stained and quantified post-treatment. 30 rats assigned to experiment 2 were randomised to receive EA (OVX+EA group, n=15) or remain untreated (OVX group, n=15), following which push-pull perfusion in combination with high pressure liquid chromatography/electrochemical (HPLC-EC) detection was used to measure neurotransmitter release in the MPOA. Results EA significantly increased the percentage of mature vaginal epithelial cells and plasma oestradiol levels in sham MPOA-lesioned rats compared with MPOA-lesioned OVX rats (p<0.05). In sham MPOA-lesioned OVX rats, EA significantly decreased plasma LH levels compared with no treatment (p<0.01). HPLC-EC results showed that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and β-endorphin levels in the MPAO were significantly increased in OVX rats following EA (p<0.01). Conclusions The present study suggests that the MPOA plays a crucial role in EA treatment of abnormal reproductive function in OVX rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulan Ma
- Training Center of Medical Experiments, Basic Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongju Li
- Training Center of Medical Experiments, Basic Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianwei Jiang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Seo SY, Moon JY, Kang SY, Kwon OS, Kwon S, Bang SK, Kim SP, Choi KH, Ryu Y. An estradiol-independent BDNF-NPY cascade is involved in the antidepressant effect of mechanical acupuncture instruments in ovariectomized rats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5849. [PMID: 29643431 PMCID: PMC5895789 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23824-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Menopause-related depression devastates women's quality of life after middle age. Previous research has shown that estrogen hormone therapy has serious adverse effects; thus, complementary and integrative therapies have been considered clinically. The present study investigates whether stimulation of an acupoint using a mechanical acupuncture instrument (MAI) can mitigate depression-like behavior caused by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The animals were divided into Sham OVX, OVX, OVX + Sameumgyo (SP6) and OVX + NonAcu (non-acupuncture point) groups. MAI stimulation significantly increased the total distance traveled in the open-field test and the number of open-arm entries in the elevated plus maze and decreased the duration of immobility in the forced swim test. In addition to this decrease in depression-like behavior, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) release increased in the hippocampus in response to MAI treatment, but estradiol levels did not recover. Furthermore, microinjection of the BDNF receptor antagonist ANA-12 (0.1 pmol/1 μl) into the hippocampus before MAI stimulation significantly suppressed the recovery of NPY levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that MAI stimulation at SP6 facilitates an estradiol-independent BDNF-NPY cascade, which may contribute to its antidepressant effects in OVX rats, an animal model of menopausal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Yeon Seo
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Young Moon
- Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency 177, Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Yun Kang
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - O Sang Kwon
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunoh Kwon
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Kyun Bang
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Phil Kim
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Ho Choi
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea.
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Heng Li S, Wang LT, Deng X, NanJiao Y, Kong L, Fu M, Jia LQ, Yang JX, Ren L. Electroacupuncture Rescued the Impairment of Hippocampal Neurons in Perimenopausal Depression Rats via Activating the CREB/BDNF Pathway. INT J PHARMACOL 2018. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2018.164.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Ma S, Li D, Feng Y, Jiang J, Shen B. Effects of electroacupuncture on uterine morphology and expression of oestrogen receptors in ovariectomised rats. Acupunct Med 2016; 35:208-214. [PMID: 27834684 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIM To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on uterine morphology and expression of oestrogen receptor (ER) α and β in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. METHODS Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats with regular 4-day oestrus cycles were divided into a sham operation group (Control, n=10) and two OVX groups that remained untreated (OVX group, n=10) or received EA treatment (OVX+EA group, n=10). In the latter group, EA was applied at CV4, CV3, SP6 and bilateral Zigong (30 min per day) for 3 days. The effects of EA on uterine morphology were observed by H&E staining. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to measure ERα and ERβ mRNA and protein expression, respectively. RESULTS Relative to the (untreated) OVX group, EA treatment significantly increased the uterine wet weight to body weight (UWW/BW) ratio (0.47±0.04 vs 0.31±0.03 g/kg, p=0.04), and myometrial thickness (109.39±10.71 vs 60.81±8.1 μm, p=0.016) of OVX rats. Similarly, the total number of endometrial glands per cross section and endometrial thickness in the OVX +EA group was significantly increased compared to the (untreated) OVX group. EA treatment also increased protein (but not mRNA) expression of both ERα and ERβ in the uteri of OVX rats. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated that EA treatment decreases uterine atrophy in OVX rats. This unique effect of EA on the uterus may be due to upregulation of serum levels of E2 and differential regulation of sex steroid receptors ERα and ERβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulan Ma
- Training Center of Medical Experiments, Basic Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongju Li
- Training Center of Medical Experiments, Basic Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianwei Jiang
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Shehata A. Bee Stings at Sites of Acupuncture as a Potential Therapy for Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Failure: A Pilot Study. WOMENS HEALTH 2016. [DOI: 10.15406/mojwh.2016.02.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Wang W, Bai W, Cui G, Jin B, Wang K, Jia J, Da Y, Qin L. Effects of estradiol valerate and remifemin on norepinephrine signaling in the brain of ovariectomized rats. Neuroendocrinology 2015; 101:120-32. [PMID: 25613345 DOI: 10.1159/000375162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We investigated the norepinephrine pathway changes from the locus coeruleus (LC) to the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POAH) in the brain of ovariectomized rats under low estrogen levels and explored the therapeutic effects of estradiol valerate (E2) and Remifemin (ICR) on these changes. METHODS 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: surgery with vehicle (SHAM), ovariectomy surgery with vehicle (OVX), ovariectomy with E2 treatment (OVX + E2), and ovariectomy with Remifemin (OVX + ICR). After 4 weeks of treatment, we observed the changes by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS (1) The average optical density of DBH-ir fibers and the number of α1-adrenoreceptor- and estrogen receptor (ER)α-positive neurons in the main nuclei of POAH were all reduced in OVX rats compared with the SHAM group. The above changes were normalized in all nuclei of the POAH in the E2 group, while they were normalized in some nuclei in the ICR group. Coexpression of ERα and α1-adrenoreceptor was observed in the POAH. (2) The number of DBH- and ERα-positive neurons in the LC decreased in the OVX group compared with the SHAM group and increased after treatment with E2 and ICR. Coexpression of ERα and DBH was observed in the LC. CONCLUSION Low estrogen (OVX) altered norepinephrine synthesis in the LC, the projection of norepinephrine fibers and α1-adrenoreceptor expression in the POAH. Both E2 and ICR normalized the norepinephrine pathway, but E2 achieved greater effects than ICR. ICR had different effects in different nuclei in the POAH and its therapeutic effect was better in the LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Wang
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, PR China
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Xu Q, Liu T, Chen S, Gao Y, Wang J, Qiao L, Liu J. Correlation between the cumulative analgesic effect of electroacupuncture intervention and synaptic plasticity of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons in rats with sciatica. Neural Regen Res 2014; 8:218-25. [PMID: 25206591 PMCID: PMC4107526 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain was established by ligation of the sciatic nerve and a model of learning and memory impairment was established by ovariectomy to investigate the analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture stimulation at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34). In addition, associated synaptic changes in neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus were examined. Results indicate that the thermal pain threshold (paw withdrawal latency) was significantly increased in rats subjected to 2-week electroacupuncture intervention compared with 2-day electroacupuncture, but the analgesic effect was weakened remarkably in ovariectomized rats with chronic constrictive injury. 2-week electroacupuncture intervention substantially reversed the chronic constrictive injury-induced increase in the synaptic cleft width and thinning of the postsynaptic density. These findings indicate that repeated electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanli and Yanglingquan has a cumulative analgesic effect and can effectively relieve chronic neuropathic pain by remodeling the synaptic structure of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuling Xu
- Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, Hainan Province, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571101, Hainan Province, China
| | - Shuping Chen
- Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yonghui Gao
- Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Junying Wang
- Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Lina Qiao
- Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Junling Liu
- Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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Electroacupuncture modulates reproductive hormone levels in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency: results from a prospective observational study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:657234. [PMID: 23533511 PMCID: PMC3603476 DOI: 10.1155/2013/657234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on serum FSH, E2, and LH levels, women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) were treated with EA once a day, five times a week for the first four weeks and once every other day, three times a week, for the following two months, and then were followed up for three months. Serum E2, FSH, and LH levels were measured at baseline, at the end of treatment, and during followup. A total of 11 women with POI were included in this prospective consecutive case series study. Compared with baseline, patients' serum E2 increased, FSH decreased, and LH decreased (P = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.002, resp.) after EA treatment, and these effects persisted during followup. With treatment, 10 patients resumed menstruation (10/11, 90.91%), whereas one patient remained amenorrhea. During followup, two patients, including the one with amenorrhea during treatment, reported absence of menstruation. Temporary pain occurred occasionally, and no other adverse events were found during treatment. The results suggest that EA could decrease serum FSH and LH levels and increase serum E2 level in women with POI with little or no side effects; however, further randomized control trials are needed.
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Estrogen effects on the forced swim test differ in two outbred rat strains. Physiol Behav 2012; 106:81-6. [PMID: 22266677 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Revised: 01/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Changes in reproductive hormones, such as estrogen, play a role in mood regulation. The present study examined strain differences (Long-Evans vs. Wistar-Hannover) in the behavioral and biochemical effects of estrogen manipulation. Adult ovariectomized female rats were treated with estradiol, vehicle, or withdrawn from estradiol. The two strains demonstrated differential behavioral responses to short-term estradiol administration in the forced swim test; estradiol induced an antidepressant-like effect in Long-Evans rats but not in Wistar rats. Conversely, withdrawal from estradiol resulted in a depressive-like state in the Wistar rats but not in the Long-Evans rats. Western blot analyses found no differences in estrogen receptors α and β within the hippocampus or the frontal cortex, two brain areas strongly implicated in affective disorders. These data demonstrate the importance of strain as a variable when interpreting behavioral effects of estrogen.
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