Effects Of Acupuncture On Oxidative Stress On OLETF Rats

ObjectiveOur aim was to research the effects of acupuncture on OLETF rats with oxidative stress, in order to further explore its potential mechanism intervention with insulin resistance model rats of endothelial dysfunction.MethodsThere were sixteen OLETF rats and eight LETO rats. The experimental rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group (LETO rats, n=8), model group (OLETF rats, n=8) and electroacupuncture group (EA-OLETF rats, n=8). A group of the OLETF rats were treated with electroacupuncture (EA-OLETF rats). The acupuncture was applied to bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli(ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6),and Shenshu (BL23).Neiguan (PC6),Zusanli (ST36),and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were subcutaneously needled for 8 mm, and Shenshu (BL23) perpendicularly for 5 mm. Needles in Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Zusanli (ST36) were connected with electroacupuncture apparatus, with sparse-dense wave(spares wave 2 Hz, dense wave 50 Hz,6s, respectively) for 20 min, once a day, for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, all groups were taken away food. Next morning, all rats were drew blood, preparing for testing FPG, FINS, C-P, SOD, MDA, ET and NO. The rats were anesthetized by chloral hydrate for cutting their aorta tissue off.Throughout the experiment, using glucose oxidase method, ELISA, nitric acid deoxidize enzyme method and TBA to detect the plasma fasting blood glucose (FPG), insulin(FINS), insulin sensitivity index (ISI), serum C-peptide(C-P), Endothelin(ET), Nitrous oxide(NO), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and Malondial-dehyde(MDA) respectively. The rat limbs were fixed on rat board, then isolated the aorta from down to up. The thoracic aortas intercepted were prepared by HE staining after triformol immersed which was to observe the acupuncture effect on OLETF rats aortic under the microscope.ResultsDuring the experiment, the weight of control group rats was gained, the rats were in good mental state, move freely, hair luster. Four weeks before acupuncture treatment, both model group and acupuncture group rats were disposition gentle, drowsiness, less rat fur matted, lacklustre and abdominal obesity. Their defecate quantity was less than normal group which was grey color, qualitative soft. Four weeks after acupuncture treatment, weight of acupuncture group rats were still increased. But compared to the control group, the movement and state of rats in acupuncture group became better.Compared with control group, FPG^ FINS-. C-P of the model group significantly increased (P<0.01), ISI significantly increased (P<0.01).The level of C-P of acupuncture group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with control group, but FPG, FINS and ISI had no obvious differences(P>0.05). Compared with model group, the levels of FPG, FINS and C-P of acupuncture group were significantly decreased (P<0.01).but the level of ISI improved(P<0.01).NO of model group significantly decreased (K0.01) compared with control group,but ET increased (P<0.01). Compared with control group, NO and ET of acupuncture group had no obvious differences(P>0.05). The level of NO of acupuncture group was enhanced when compared with model group(P>0.05), but ET level was lower (P<0.01).Compared with control group, the activity of SOD in model group significantly decreased(P<0.05), level of MDA was higher than that of control group(P<0.01). Levels of SOD and MDA in acupuncture group had no obvious differences (P>0.05) compared with control group. But compared with model group,the activity of SOD of acupuncture group was positively improved (P<O.05)while level of MDA significantly decreased(P<0.01).Aortas with HE staining were observed under the microscope with 20X10 times. Artery endothelium of control group was continuous and smooth, elastic fiber and vascular smooth muscle cells were neatly arranged without infiltrating lymphocytes. Artery endothelium of model group was discontinuous, obvious loss of membrane integrity, the layer under endothelial loose, hyperplasia and disordered arrangement of vascular smooth muscle cell. After acupuncture intervention, artery endothelium was almost as smooth as control group without obvious thickening. Hyperplasia and disordered arrangement of vascular smooth muscle cell of acupuncture group was ameliorative compared with model group. We may infer from the results above that acupuncture treatment has protective effect of aortic endothelial injury.ConclusionAcupuncture may improve the oxidative stress state, adjusting vascular endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance.