OBJECTIVES: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition among women that severely impairs quality of life. Pelvic floor proprioceptive training (PFPT) has attracted increasing attention for its potential to enhance pelvic floor muscle function and alleviate SUI symptoms. This study aims to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of PFPT combined with electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback therapy versus conventional therapy consisting of electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback alone in women with SUI, and to explore the role of PFPT in improving symptom and functional outcomes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 women with mild to moderate SUI were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between December 2021 and October 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=36) or a control group (n=36). Both groups received health education. The control group underwent electroacupuncture combined with electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy, while the experimental group additionally received PFPT 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, bladder neck mobility, and balance ability. The ICIQ-SF was reassessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all parameters after treatment (all P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in most measures (all P>0.05). The experimental group demonstrated longer single-leg stance duration with eyes closed than the control group (left leg: P=0.026; right leg: P=0.006), with a significant increase from baseline (P<0.001). At 6 months post-treatment, the cure rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS Conventional therapy effectively improves SUI symptoms, but adding PFPT provides notable additional benefits, including enhanced balance ability and sustained mid-term cure rates. These findings suggest that PFPT is a valuable adjunct to standard SUI management strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Adult ; Exercise Therapy/methods* ; Proprioception ; Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

Exercise-induced analgesia (EIA) refers to the elevation of pain thresholds and reduction in sensitivity to noxious stimuli achieved through exercise training. As a non-pharmacological treatment strategy, exercise therapy has demonstrated positive effects on both acute and chronic pain. Increasing evidence indicates that modulation of glial cell activity is an important mechanism underlying analgesia. Spinal glial cells contribute to the development and maintenance of pathological pain by promoting pain signal transmission through inflammatory responses and synaptic remodeling. Exercise can differentially regulate microglia and astrocyte activity, inhibiting multiple inflammatory signaling pathways, such as P2X4/P2X7 purinergic receptors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), interleukin (IL)-6/Janus kinase (JAK) 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), p38-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), thereby reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, decreasing inflammatory and nociceptive hypersensitivity, and alleviating pathological pain. This review also summarized the effects of different exercise intensities, durations, and frequencies on glial cell responses in order to provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing exercise-based interventions for pathological pain conditions.
Humans ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Exercise/physiology* ; Signal Transduction ; Analgesia/methods* ; Spinal Cord/cytology* ; Exercise Therapy ; Pain Management/methods* ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with ear tip bloodletting for insomnia with phlegm-fire disturbing heart. METHODS: A total of 60 cases with insomnia of phlegm-fire disturbing heart were selected, and the treatment of electroacupuncture combined with ear tip bloodletting was delivered. Acupuncture was applied at Yintang (GV24⁺), Shenting (GV24), Sishencong (EX-HN1) and bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Quchi (LI11), Zhaohai (KI6), Shenmai (BL62), Fenglong (ST40), Neiting (ST4), Yintang (GV24⁺) and Shenting (GV24) were connected to electroacupuncture, continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency. In addition, bloodletting was applied at ear tip. The treatment was given for 4 weeks. Before treatment, and after 1,4 weeks into treatment, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), insomnia severity index (ISI) and TCM syndrome were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the patients. RESULTS: After 1,4 weeks into treatment, the scores of PSQI, AIS, ISI and TCM syndrome were decreased compared with those before treatment in the patients (P<0.05). Of 60 cases, 30 cases were cured, 19 cases markedly effective, 9 cases effective and 2 cases failed, and the total effective rate was 96.7% (58/60). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture combined with ear tip bloodletting can improve the sleep quality and clinical symptoms in patients with insomnia of phlegm-fire disturbing heart.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Electroacupuncture ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Bloodletting ; Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) on the gait, oxidative stress, inflammatory reaction, and protein degradation in the rats of denervated skeletal muscle atrophy, and explore the potential mechanism of EA for alleviating denervated skeletal muscle atrophy. METHODS: Forty male SD rats, 8 weeks old, were randomly assigned to a sham-surgery group, a model group, an EA group, and a p38 MAPK inhibitor group, with 10 rats in each group. The right sciatic nerve was transected to establish a rat model of denervated skeletal muscle atrophy in the model group, the EA group and the p38 MAPK inhibitor group. In the sham-surgery group, the nerve was exposed without transection. One day after successful modeling, the rats in the EA group received EA at "Huantiao" (GB30) and "Zusanli" (ST36) on the right side, using a continuous wave with a frequency of 2 Hz and current intensity of 1 mA, for 15 min in each session, EA was delivered once a day, 6 times a week. In the p38 MAPK inhibitor group, the rats received the intraperitoneal injection with SB203580 (5 mg/kg), once a day, 6 times a week. The intervention was composed of 3 weeks in each group. After the intervention completion, the CatWalk XT 10.6 animal gait analysis system was used to record the gait parameters of rats. The wet weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle was calculated after the sample collected. Using HE staining, the fiber morphology and cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle were observed; ELISA was employed to measure the content of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the gastrocnemius muscle; the biochemical hydroxyamine method was adopted to detect the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the gastrocnemius muscle; with immunohistochemistry and Western blot used, the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphorylated (p)-p38 MAPK, muscle atrophy F-box gene (Atrogin-1), muscle RING finger 1 (Murf-1), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was detected in the gastrocnemius muscle. RESULTS: Compared to the sham-surgery group, in the model group, the standing duration, the swing time and the step cycle were increased (P<0.001), the footprint area of the maximum contact time, the print area, the average intensity of the maximum contact time, the average intensity, the swing speed, and the step length were decreased (P<0.001); the wet weight ratio of gastrocnemius muscle and fiber cross-sectional area were reduced (P<0.001); the content of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA in gastrocnemius muscle elevated (P<0.001), and that of SOD reduced (P<0.001); the positive and protein expression of p-p38 MAPK, Atrogin-1 and Murf-1 elevated (P<0.001) and that of Nrf2 and HO-1 dropped (P<0.001). When compared with the model group, in the EA group and the p38 MAPK inhibitor group, the standing duration, the swing time and the step cycle decreased (P<0.01), the footprint area of the maximum contact time, the print area, the average intensity of the maximum contact time, the average intensity, the swing speed, and the step length increased (P<0.01); the wet weight ratio of gastrocnemius muscle and fiber cross-sectional area were improved (P<0.01, P<0.05); the content of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA in gastrocnemius muscle dropped (P<0.05, P<0.01), and that of SOD elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05); the positive and protein expression of p-p38 MAPK, Atrogin-1 and Murf-1 dropped (P<0.01, P<0.05) and that of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture may alleviate skeletal muscle atrophy in denervated skeletal muscle atrophy rats by mediating the p38 MAPK activity, thereby suppressing oxidative stress, inflammatory reaction, and protein degradation.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Muscular Atrophy/metabolism* ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Superoxide Dismutase/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Oxidative Stress ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative pain in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 140 female patients scheduled for unilateral modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer undergoing general anesthesia were randomized into a TEAS group (70 cases) and a sham TEAS group (70 cases, 2 cases dropped out). Patients in both groups received TEAS or sham TEAS at bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Danzhong (CV17), respectively, from 30 min before anesthesia induction until the end of surgery, and on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after surgery for 30 min a time, once a day. On 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after surgery, the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was observed; on 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, the incidence rate of chronic pain was observed; before surgery, and on 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after surgery, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were detected; the number of analgesia pump press, rescue analgesia, and the occurrence of adverse reaction after surgery were recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: In the TEAS group, the VAS scores on 1st and 2nd days after surgery, and the incidence rates of chronic pain on 3 and 6 months after surgery were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). On 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after surgery, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were increased compared with those before surgery in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the above indexes in the TEAS group were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). The number of analgesia pump press and the incidence rate of rescue analgesia after surgery in the TEAS group were lower than those in the sham TEAS group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions after surgery between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION TEAS can effectively improve both the postoperative acute pain and chronic pain in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer, the mechanism may relate to inhibiting the inflammatory reaction.
Humans ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain, Postoperative/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; Adult ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical/adverse effects* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Interleukin-10/blood* ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of eye transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (Eye-TEAS) on preventing the progression of pre-myopic to myopia in children aged 6-12 years. METHODS: A total of 170 pre-myopic children aged 6-12 years were randomly divided into an Eye-TEAS group (85 cases, 3 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated) and a placebo Eye-TEAS group (85 cases, 3 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated). The Eye-TEAS group received Eye-TEAS intervention at bilateral Cuanzhu (BL2), Yuyao (EX-HN4), Sizhukong (TE23), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Sibai (ST2), and Jingming (BL1), with continuous wave at a frequency of 4 Hz and a current of 1-2 mA for 30 min per session. The placebo Eye-TEAS group received sham intervention with the same equipment and procedure, but no electrical stimulation. Both groups received intervention once every other day, at least 3 times a week, for a duration of 20 weeks. After intervention and during the 28-week follow-up period after the intervention completion, the changes in axial length (AL), spherical equivalent refraction (SER), and the incidence of myopia were compared between the two groups. Adherence and safety during the intervention period were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared before intervention, both groups showed an increase in AL after the intervention and during the follow-up (P<0.01). The AL during follow-up was higher than that after the intervention in the two groups (P<0.01). The Eye-TEAS group exhibited a smaller change in AL than the placebo Eye-TEAS group after the intervention and during follow-up (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared before intervention, both groups showed a decrease in SER after the intervention and during follow-up (P<0.01). The SER during follow-up was lower than that after the intervention in the two groups (P<0.01). The Eye-TEAS group had a higher SER than the placebo Eye-TEAS group after the intervention (P<0.05). The Eye-TEAS group exhibited a smaller change in SER than the placebo Eye-TEAS group after the intervention and during follow-up (P<0.01). The incidence of myopia in the Eye-TEAS group was lower than that in the placebo group during follow-up (20.0% [14/70] vs 34.7% [25/72], P<0.05). Both groups had good adherence, with no adverse events related to the intervention. CONCLUSION Eye-TEAS can delay the progression of pre-myopic to myopia in children, and has a high safety profile.
Humans ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Myopia/prevention & control* ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Treatment Outcome ; Disease Progression

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture for adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children. METHODS: Seventy-two children with AH were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 5 cases dropped out, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (36 cases, 4 cases dropped out, 2 cases were eliminated). The observation group received deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture. The needle depth of Xiaguan (ST7) was 20-30 mm. Electroacupuncture was applied at Xiaguan (ST7), Yingxiang (LI20), Yintang (GV24⁺), Baihui (GV20), with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz. Warm acupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST36). The treatment was performed 30 min each time, once a week for 12 weeks. The control group was treated with mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray, one spray per nostril each time, once a day for 12 weeks. The symptom score, adenoid-to-nasopharynx ratio (A/N), and 18-item health-related quality-of-life survey for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA-18) score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the total scores of symptom, A/N, and OSA-18 scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than 83.3% (25/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Deep needling at Xiaguan (ST7) combined with electroacupuncture and warm acupuncture could effectively improve symptoms, reduce adenoid volume, and improve the quality of life in children with AH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hypertrophy/therapy* ; Adenoids/pathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Shenting" (GV24) and "Baihui" (GV20) on mitochondrial autophagy in hippocampal neurons and silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)/forkhead box O3 (FOXO3)/PTEN-inducible kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin pathway in rats with learning-memory impairment after cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. METHODS: A total of 35 male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group (9 rats) and a modeling group (26 rats). In the modeling group, middle cerebral artery occlusion method was used to establish the middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion (MCAO/R) model, and 18 rats of successful modeling were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, 9 rats in each one. EA was applied at "Shenting" (GV24) and "Baihui" (GV20) in the EA group, 30 min a time, once a day for 14 days. After modeling and on 7th and 14th days of intervention, neurologic deficit score was observed; the learning-memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test; the morphology of neurons in CA1 area of hippocampus was detected by Nissl staining; the mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy; the protein expression of Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), P62, Sitrt1, FOXO3, PINK1 and Parkin was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the neurologic deficit scores in the model group and the EA group were higher than that in the sham operation group (P<0.001); on 7th and 14th days of intervention, the neurologic deficit scores in the model group were higher than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001), the neurologic deficit scores in the EA group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After modeling, the escape latency in the model group and the EA group was prolonged compared with that in the sham operation group (P<0.001); on 9th-13th days of intervention, the escape latency in the model group was prolonged compared with that in the sham operation group (P<0.001), the escape latency in the EA group was shortened compared with that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001). The number of crossing plateau in the model group was less than that in the sham operation group (P<0.001); the number of crossing plateau in the EA group was more than that in the model group (P<0.05). In the model group, in CA1 area of hippocampus, the number of neurons was less, with sparse arrangement, nuclear fixation, deep cytoplasmic staining, and reduction of Nissl substance; the morphology of mitochondrion was swollen, membrane structure was fragmented, and autophagic lysosomes were formed. Compared with the model group, in the EA group, in CA1 area of hippocampus, the number of neurons was increased, the number of cells of abnormal morphology was decreased, and the number of Nissl substance was increased; the morphology of mitochondrion was more intact and the number of autophagic lysosomes was increased. Compared with the sham operation group, in the model group, the protein expression of Beclin-1, FOXO3, PINK1, Parkin and the LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ ratio in hippocampus were increased (P<0.01, P<0.001), while the protein expression of P62 was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, the protein expression of Beclin-1, Sirt1, FOXO3, PINK1, Parkin and the LC3BⅡ/Ⅰratio in hippocampus were increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), while the protein expression of P62 was decreased (P<0.001). CONCLUSION EA at "Shenting" (GV24) and "Baihui" (GV20) can relieve the symptoms of neurological deficits and improve the learning-memory ability in MCAO/R rats, its mechanism may relate to the modulation of Sirt1/FOXO3/PINK1/Parkin pathway and the enhancement of mitochondrial autophagy.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics* ; Brain Ischemia/complications* ; Mitochondria/genetics* ; Autophagy ; Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Humans ; Memory Disorders/psychology* ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique on the relative protein expression of the signaling pathway of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1)/ receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of this acupuncture technique for pain alleviation in PD. METHODS: Thirty female SD rats of SPF grade with normal estrous cycle were randomized into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. Using the intraperitoneal injection with estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin, PD model was prepared in the model group and the acupuncture group. In the acupuncture group, during model preparation, the intervention with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique was delivered simultaneously, 20 min each time, once daily for consecutive 10 days. On day 11, within 30 min after the intraperitoneal injection with oxytocin, the writhing reaction (latency, frequency and score) was recorded; the morphology of uterine tissue was observed with HE staining, the contents of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the serum were detected using ELISA method; the relative protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65, phosphorylation-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) was detected in the uterine tissue using Western blot method; and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 was detected with the quantitative real-time PCR employed. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the writhing latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the writhing frequency and score increased (P<0.01) in the rats; the endometrial epithelial cells showed massive degeneration and necrosis, with severe endometrial edema and widespread shedding, combined with neutrophil infiltration; the serum PGE₂ content was dropped (P<0.01), while those of PGF_2α, IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and TNF-α elevated (P<0.01); the protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65, and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in uterine tissue increased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the writhing latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the writhing frequency and score were reduced (P<0.01) in the rats; there was less degeneration and necrosis of endometrial epithelial cells, with mild endometrial edema and very little neutrophil infiltration; the serum PGE₂ content increased (P<0.01), while those of PGF_2α, IL-1β, IL-18, COX-2, and TNF-α decreased (P<0.01); the protein expression of NOD1, RIP2, NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NOD1, RIP2 and NF-κB p65 in uterine tissue were dropped (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) needling technique can alleviate the pain symptom of PD rats, and its action mechanism may be related to inhibiting the active expression of NOD1/RIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway in the uterine tissue, thereby reducing the inflammatory response.
Animals ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Dysmenorrhea/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Acupuncture Analgesia ; Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment of "biaoben acupoint combination" on cardiomyocyte mitochondrial fission in the rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and explore its mechanism. METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA pretreatment group, an EA pretreatment + Compound C group and an EA pretreatment+ML385 group, 10 rats in each group. In the EA pretreatment, the EA pretreatment + Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, EA was delivered at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6), "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) for 20 min, with continuous wave and 2 Hz of frequency, 1 mA of current, once daily for consecutive 7 days. On day 8, in the EA pretreatment + Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, 30 min before model preparation, the intraperitoneal injection with Compound C (0.3 mg/kg) and ML385 (30 mg/kg) was administered respectively. Except in the sham-operation group, the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed to prepare MIRI rat model in the rest groups. In the sham-operation group, the thread was not ligated. After modeling, the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ischemic area was measured by flow cytometry, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected using xanthine oxidase method, and malondialdelyde (MDA) was detected using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) chromatometry. The morphology of myocardial tissue in the ischemic area was observed with HE staining, and the mitochondria ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes observed under transmission electron microscopy. Using immunofluorescence analysis, the positive expression of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF), mitochondrial fission 1 protein antibody (Fis1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) was detected; and with immunohistochemical method used, the protein expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor E2-associated factor2 (Nrf2) and Drp1 in the ischemic area was detected. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the content of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue of the ischemic area, and the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1 increased in the model group (P<0.01); the content of SOD and the protein expression of AMRK and Nrf2 decreased (P<0.01), and the protein expression of Drp1 elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the content of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue of the ischemic area, and the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1 were dropped in the EA pretreatment group (P<0.01); the content of SOD and the protein expression of AMRK and Nrf2 rose (P<0.01), and the protein expression of Drp1 declined (P<0.01); and in the EA pretreatment+Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1, and the protein expression of Drp1 were all reduced (P<0.01). When compared with the EA pretreatment + Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, the content of ROS and MDA in the myocardial tissue of the ischemic area, and the positive expression of MFF, Fis1 and Drp1 were dropped in the EA pretreatment group (P<0.01); the content of SOD and the protein expression of AMRK and Nrf2 rose (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein expression of Drp1 decreased (P<0.05). In comparison with the model group, the EA pretreatment+Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group, the cardiac muscle fiber rupture, cell swelling and mitochondrial disorders were obviously alleviated in the EA pretreatment group. The morphological changes were similar among the model group, the EA pretreatment+Compound C group and the EA pretreatment+ML385 group. CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture pretreatment of "biaoben acupoint combination" attenuates myocardial injury in MIRI rats, probably through promoting the phosphorylation of AMPK and Nrf2, inhibiting the excessive mitochondrial fission induced by Drp1, and reducing mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mitochondrial fragmentation and vacuolation.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/physiopathology* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology* ; Rats ; Acupuncture Points ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*