Mechanism Of Clock-control Gene In SCN Involve Resetting Circadian Rhythm To Electro-acupuncture

Aim:This study was to investigate the time phase of activity rhythms of circadian rhythm disturbance mice, the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on their activity rhythms and its molecular regulating mechanism on the clock genes of suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).Methods:44 male C57BL/6J mice 12-14 weeks of age were used for experiments. The animals were housed individually in wire mesh cages with ad lib access to food and water. Animals were divided into 4 groups which were blank group(n=10), model group(n=12),nature recovery group(n=12) and electro-acupuncture group(n=10).Each running wheel was connected to an activity recording device through which wheel running activity was continually monitored. Wheel-running activity was recorded and analyzed using Clock-Lab software.We housed mice in LD cycle for 10 days. Control group keep 12:12 hr LD of 20 days, and SCN collected at ZT18. Then 8 hr advance of light onset every 2 days of 5 times. Model group was collected tissue at ZT18 when model successful. Nature recovery group bind as the same time with electro-acupuncture group. Electro-acupuncture group was treatment at ZT16, on Zhiyang (GV 9) and Ganshu (BL 18) with acupuncture needle one time a day of three days.Collected SCN at ZT18 at the third day. At last, samples of SCN were measured by PCR Array method to test the gene expression level.Results:(1) In entrainment there were no significant differences in the periods, phase positions and onset of activity rhythms of mice in each groups(P> 0.05).After model establish, acrophase phase onset and period were advanced with control group had significant differences(P<0.05). (2)With control group there were significant differences expression of 12 genes.The nature recovery group 3 genes advanced and 11 genes decreased. After electro-acupuncture the different expression were 27,6 advanced and 21 decreased. There were significant differences in these circadian rhythm genes:AANAT, Egr1, Per1, Prokr2.Conclusion:After model establish, the acrophase and onset of the C57BL/6J mice were advanced and the period were decreased. Electro-acupuncture can regulate onset, acrophase and period. Regulating the expressions of some clock genes in SCN of the circadian rhythm disturbance mice was probably one of the molecular mechanism of electro-acupuncture to regulate the activity rhythms of circadian rhythm disturbance animals.