The Molecular Mechanisms Underlying The Electric-Acupuncture Restoring The Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function Triggered By Restrain Stress In Rat

Objective To observe the effects of restrain stress on the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the rat hypothalamus and the effects of electroacupuncture on the phosphorylated-p38 MAPK caused by restrain stress. Methods Rats were randomly divided into three groups, including control group, restrain stress group and restrain stress plus electroacupuncture group. The Western blot was employed to observe the changes of phosphorylated-p38MAPK in the above three groups. Results western blot analysis demonstrated that a higher level of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was found in the hypothalamus from restrain stress group than that from control. The higher level of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK could last for 3 hours after stress relieved. The level of phosphorylated-p38MAPK could be induced to decrease more or less when the Susanli acupoint of restrain rat was acupunctured. The effects of electroacupuncture of Susanli on phosphorylated-p38MAPK in hypothalamus could still be keptalthough the electroacupuncture was stopped for three hours. Conclusion These results suggest that restrain stress can lead a higher level of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in hypothalamus, which may be an important event in the response of hypothalamic-pitutary-adrenal(HPA) axis. As all know, electroacupuncture of Susanli have effect on the activity of HPA axis. The mechanism underlain in the regulation of HPA by electroacupuncture may be related to the regulation of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK in hypothalamus.