OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Fenglong (ST40) on blood lipids, mRNA and protein expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor a (PPARalpha) in hyperlipidemia rats.

METHODSThirty-two SD rats of SPF grade were selected to prepare the hyperlipidemia model. After successful modeling, they were randomly divided into the model group, the treatment group, the control group, and the treatment control group, 8 in each group. Another 8 rats were selected as the normal control group. Rats in the treatment group and the treatment control group received EA at Fenglong (ST40), once daily for 30 successive days. Rats in the model group and the treatment group were administered with high fat forage, while rats in the normal control group, the control group, and the treatment control group were administered with common forage. The contents of the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected in every group. The mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1 and PPARalpha were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe levels of TC and LDL-C increased, and the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1 and PPARalpha decreased in the model group when compared with the normal group, showing statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). But there was no obvious change in TG or HDL-C (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of TC and LDL-C decreased in each intervention group with statistical difference (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1 and PPARa in the treatment group and the treatment control group increased. The mRNA and protein expressions of PPARalpha increased in the control group with statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of TC and LDL-C decreased, the mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1 and PPARa increased in the treatment control group with statistical difference (P<0.01). But there was no obvious change in TG or HDL-C (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEA at ST40 could obviously down-regulate the levels of TC and LDL-C in hyperlipidemia rats, up-regulate the expressions of ABCA1 and PPARalpha, thus promoting counter transport of cholesterol. It had some therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia.