Effects of electroacupuncture on conjunctival cell apoptosis and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, Fas and Bcl-2 in rabbits with dry eye syndrome
- VernacularTitle:电针对干眼症兔结膜细胞凋亡及相关蛋白Caspase-3、Fas和Bcl-2表达的影响
- Author:
Yan-Ting YANG
;
Bang-Ji WEI
;
Yue ZHAO
;
Dan ZHANG
;
Jie LIU
;
Cui-Hong ZHANG
;
Ling-Xiang WU
;
Xiao-Qing DONG
;
Xiao-Xu LIU
;
Lin-Lin ZHANG
;
Jue HONG
;
Xiao-Peng MA
- Keywords:
Acupuncture Therapy;
Electroacupuncture;
Dry Eye Syndrome;
Apoptosis;
Caspase-3 Protein;
Fas Protein;
Bcl-2 Protein;
Rabbits
- From:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science
2020;18(1):16-23
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: By observing the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the apoptosis of conjunctival cells of rabbits with dry eye syndrome (DES) and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, Fas and Bcl-2, to discuss the mechanism of EA in the treatment of DES from the perspective of cell apoptosis. Methods: Male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group (NG), a model group (MG), an EA group (EAG) and a sham EA group (SEAG). DES rabbit model was developed by eye drop of 0.1％ benzalkonium chloride. The rabbit tear secretion and tear film break-up time (BUT) were measured; terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase- mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect the apoptosis of conjunctival cells; the expressions of Caspase-3, Fas and Bcl-2 proteins in conjunctival cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the NG, the rabbit tear secretion decreased and the BUT was shortened in the MG (both P<0.01); compared with the MG and the SEAG, the rabbit tear secretion increased and the BUT was prolonged in the EAG (all P<0.05). Compared with the NG, the apoptosis of rabbit conjunctival cells increased (P<0.01), the expressions of Caspase-3 and Fas proteins increased (both P<0.05), and the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased (P<0.01) in the MG; compared with the MG and the SEAG, the apoptosis of rabbit conjunctival cells decreased (both P<0.01), the expressions of Caspase-3 and Fas proteins decreased (all P<0.05), and the expression of Bcl-2 protein increased (both P<0.01) in the EAG. Conclusion: EA can inhibit the apoptosis of rabbit conjunctival cells, down-regulate the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 and Fas, and up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 protein, which may be one of the mechanisms of EA in treatment of DES.
