《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2018, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (3): 260-265.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2018.03.003

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Effects of Electroacupuncture on Autophagy-related Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle in Denervated Rats

WU Meng-jia, TANG Cheng-lin, ZHAO Dan-dan, LUO Ao, AN Hui-yu, TAN Cheng-fang, QIU Li   

  1. 1. College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China;
    2. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing 400016, China
  • Received:2018-01-26 Revised:2018-02-28 Published:2018-03-25 Online:2018-03-27
  • Contact: TANG Cheng-lin. E-mail: cytcl996@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81273870) and Chongqing Health and Family Planning Committee Research Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. ZY20150249)

Abstract: Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on denervation-induced atrophy. Methods A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group (n=7), model group (n=7) and EA group (n=7). The latter two groups were cut off their right sciatic nerve. Since one day after modeling, EA group accepted electroacupuncture at right Zusanli (ST36) and Huantiao (GB30) for eight weeks. Then, the gastrocnemius of all the rats were obtained, and measured the wet mass ratio. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and fiber diameter were measured after HE staining. The expression of autophagy-related gene ULK1, Atg13, Beclin1, Atg14, Atg7, Atg12, Atg5 and Atg16L1 were tested with reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Compared with the sham group, the wet mass ratio, CSA and fiber diameter of gastrocnemius were lower significantly in the model group and EA group (P<0.001), and they were more in EA group than in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the mRNA expression of ULK1, Atg13, Beclin1, Atg14, Atg7, Atg12, Atg5 and Atg16L1 was more significantly in the model group (P<0.001), and they decreased in EA group compared with those of the model group (P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can inhibit the overexpression of autophagy-related gene in denervated rats, which may steady skeletal muscle cells to delay atrophy.

Key words: denervation-induced atrophy, skeletal muscle, electroacupuncture, autophagy, rats

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