OBJECTIVETo explore the underlying mechanism of electroacupuncture for anti-aging.

METHODSForty Sprague-Dawley rats (female and male take one half for each), 3-month old, were divided into a control group, a model group, a routine electroacupuncture group (current intensity, 1 mA) and a strong electroacupuncture group (current intensity, 4.5 mA), 10 rats in each group. The model of aged rats was established by D-galactose in the latter three groups. The acupoints of "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) were used for electroacupuncture treatment, six times per week for 4 weeks. After that, the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the serum, as well as the expression of neuropeptide Y mRNA (NPY mRNA) and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in the periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) were examined and compared between each group.

RESULTSIn comparison of the control rats, the model rats expressed with the lower level of NPY mRNA in PVN, higher levels of IL-6 in the serum and IL-6R in PVN, which is different from each other (P < 0.05). In both routine electroacupuncture group and strong electroacupuncture group, the level of NPY mRNA in PVN was up-regulated, in contrast, the levels of IL-6 in the serum and IL-6R in PVN were cut down, which were different from those of the model group (both P < 0.05). Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of the strong electroacupuncture group is different from that of the routine electroacupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at "Qiangzhuang" acupoints plays an active role to slow down the aging process on the sub-acute aged rats through regulating the function of neuro-immune system, and the therapeutic effect of strong stimulation is better than that of routine stimulation.