1.Effects of acupuncture on the expression of CaMK II mRNA and apoptosis in the myocardial ischemic/reperfused injury rats
Haining GAO ; Jihong YANG ; Luojie XIONG ; Yuefeng TIAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022;44(3):305-308
Objective:To observer the effect of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan", "Ximen" and "Hegu" acupoints of the Pericardium Meridian and observe the expression of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA and apoptosis in the myocardial ischemic rats with reperfused injury.Methods:The Wister rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Acupuncture Neiguan group, Acupuncture Ximen group and Acupuncture Hegu group, with 10 rats in each group. Exceptthe sham operation group, the othergroups were all ligated with the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Before ligating the coronary artery, electroacupuncture was performed at "Neiguan", "Ximen" and "Hegu" points for 20 minutes respectively. After the ligation for 40 minutes, electroacupuncture was performed at the above points for 20 minutes and then restore coronary perfusion for 60 minutes. The ECG changes of rats were recorded. The level of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was detected by TUNEL. The correlation between the expression rate of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was analyzed according to the pearson correlation.Results:At 20, 40 and 60 min after the ligation of coronary artery and 30 and 60 min after the loosening of coronary artery, compared with the model group and Acupuncture Hegu group, the ST segment difference of Acupuncture Neiguan group and Acupuncture Ximen group was decreased ( P<0.01); The levels of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA (0.483 ± 0.050, 0.432 ± 0.079 vs. 0.935 ± 0.109) in Acupuncture Neiguan group and Acupuncture Ximen group were significantly decreased ( P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes (10.86% ± 2.17%, 9.66% ± 4.09% vs. 36.22% ± 1.69%) significantly decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusions:There is a positive correlation between CaMK Ⅱ mRNA level and cardiomyocyte apoptosis during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Acupuncture can effectively reduce CaMK Ⅱ mRNA level and cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and protect cardiomyocytes.
2.Mechanism of immunosuppression in rats by herb-partitioned moxibustion based on transcriptome sequencing technology
Yuefeng TIAN ; Luojie XIONG ; Huifang WANG ; Chuntao ZHAI ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):978-988
BACKGROUND:Immunosuppression leads to impaired body immune function and aggravates the disease.Herb-partitioned moxibustion can effectively regulate immune function and improve immunity in the body,but its regulatory mechanism has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To sequence immunosuppressed model rats treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion using bioinformatics techniques based on transcriptomics and to explore the mechanisms by which it regulates immunity. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups:control,model,and herb-partitioned moxibustion groups,with eight rats in each group.The model and herb-partitioned moxibustion groups were subjected to establishment of an immune suppression model by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide at a dose of 35 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days.No interventions were administered to the control and model groups after modeling.In contrast,the herb-partitioned moxibustion group received moxibustion treatment at Zhongwan,Shenque,Guanyuan,and Zusanli acupoints using a combination of moxa and herbal cakes,once a day,for 10 consecutive days,with samples being collected the day after the end of the intervention.Peripheral blood was collected from all groups of rats to measure their white blood cell count.RNA-seq was performed on the Illumina sequencing platform,and differentially expressed genes were selected for bioinformatics analysis using the GO and KEGG databases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the model group exhibited a significant decrease in white blood cell count(P<0.001).RNA-seq analysis identified 3 026 differentially expressed genes between the model and control groups,with 1 565 upregulated and 1 461 downregulated.There were 535 differentially expressed genes identified between the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the model group,with 280 upregulated and 255 downregulated.The Venn diagram analysis revealed that 159 genes were downregulated in the model group compared with the control group.However,after moxibustion with herbal cakes,these genes were upregulated.Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified 10 core targets,including Oasl,Oas2,Isg15,Herc6,Mx2,Helz2,Mx1,Syk,Hspa1a,and Ret.According to GO and KEGG analyses,moxibustion with herbal cakes regulated the body through pathways related to immune response,viruses,angiogenesis,and the autoimmune system.To conclude,there is a significant association between herbal cake-separated moxibustion intervention and immune suppression targets,including Oasl,Oas2,Isg15,Herc6,Mx2,Helz2,and Mx1.The intervention exhibits regulatory effects in the pathways related to immune responses,viral activities,and angiogenesis.
3.Analysis of effect of moxibustion intervention on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 in immunosuppressed rabbits
Luojie XIONG ; Yuefeng TIAN ; Xiaoshan XU ; Chuntao ZHAI ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(5):1064-1068
Objective:To compare similarities and differences in expression changes of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4(CT-LA-4)and programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)in immunosuppressed rabbits under different moxibustion interventions.Methods:Twenty large-eared white rabbits were randomly divided into normal group,model group,moxa stick moxibustion(MSM)group and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion(HPM)group,with five rabbits in each group.CTX-induced immunosuppressed models were prepared by intraperitoneal injection for 7 consecutive days.After successful modeling,MSM and HPM were performed on alternate days for 10 treatments.Rabbits were anesthetized after treatment,and serum,liver and spleen were collected.Serum PD-1 and PD-L1 contents were detected by ELISA.PD-1 in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry,and CTLA-4 mRNA in liver and spleen tissues were detected by RT-qPCR.Results:Both HPM and MSM could reduce PD-1 and PD-L1 levels due to immunosuppression,and could effectively suppress elevated levels of CTLA-4 in spleen and PD-1 and CTLA-4 in liver,which were statistically different compared with immunosuppression model group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation test showed that CTLA-4 and PD-1 in liver tissue had significant positive correlation(r=0.780 7,P<0.001).Conclusion:HPM can improve body immune function by regulating multiple immunosuppressive sites.