Regulatory effects of moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on extragonadal estrogen and estrogen receptors in ovariectomized rats.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20241225-k0003
- Author:
Qingchen ZHOU
1
;
Xinyan GAO
2
;
Kun LIU
2
;
Bing ZHU
2
Author Information
1. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan
2. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Point CV4 (Guanyuan);
estrogen;
hypothalamus;
moxibustion;
perimenopausal syndrome;
reproductive aging;
skin
- MeSH:
Animals;
Female;
Moxibustion;
Rats;
Ovariectomy;
Acupuncture Points;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Humans;
Receptors, Estrogen/genetics*;
Estrogens/metabolism*;
Estradiol/metabolism*;
Hypothalamus/metabolism*;
Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood*;
Aromatase/genetics*;
Luteinizing Hormone/blood*;
Skin/metabolism*
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(12):1770-1776
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the regulatory effects of moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the synthesis of extragonadal estradiol (E2) and the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in ovariectomized rats, aiming to explore the mechanism of moxibustion treatment for perimenopausal syndrome.
METHODS:Forty-eight SD female rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group and a moxibustion group, with 16 rats in each group. The model group and the moxibustion group underwent bilateral ovariectomy by the back incision method. Ten days after surgery, moxibustion was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4) in the moxibustion group, 30 min each time, once a day for 10 days. After intervention, in the 3 groups, the body mass and uterus weight were measured; the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and E2, as well as the skin and hypothalamus levels of E2 were detected by ELISA; the mRNA expression of aromatase (P450arom) in the skin and hypothalamus was detected by real-time PCR; the expression of ERα and ERβ in the hypothalamus, skin, and uterus was observed by immunofluorescence staining, and the density of positive cells was calculated using the Aipathwell digital pathology image analysis software.
RESULTS:Compared with the sham-operation group, the body mass was increased (P<0.01) and the uterus weight was decreased (P<0.001) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the body mass was decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, in the model group, the serum, hypothalamus and skin levels of E2 were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the serum levels of FSH and LH were increased (P<0.01); the expression of ERα and ERβ in the skin, hypothalamus and uterus was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.001). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group, the serum levels of E2 and LH, as well as the hypothalamus and skin levels of E2 were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the mRNA expression of P450arom, as well as the expression of ERα and ERβ in the skin and hypothalamus were increased (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:Moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) reduces the body mass of ovariectomized rats by enhancing the synthesis of extragonadal E2 and increasing the expression of ER in the skin and hypothalamus, yet it does not alleviate uterine atrophy.
