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Effects of acupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) on the expression of heat shock protein 70 and tumor necrosis factor α in the peripheral serum of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion-injured rats

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Abstract

Objective

To explore the effects of acupuncture on the peripheral serum expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).

Methods

In total, 152 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into an operated group and a non-operated group according to a random digits table. The operated group included a sham-operated group, a model group and an acupuncture group, whereas the non-operated group consisted of a normal group. Except for the normal group, each group was further divided into 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 h time points according to different reperfusion times. Eight rats were assigned in each operated group and in the normal group. The rat model of CIRI was established by the thread occlusion method in the model and acupuncture groups. The acupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) for the required time after successful operation. Blood was sampled to detect the HSP70 and TNF-α content by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The expression of HSP70 protein in the peripheral serum of the experimental groups was higher than that in the normal control group. The peak time in both the model and the sham-operated groups was 12 h, and the peak time in the acupuncture group was 24 h. The expression in the acupuncture group declined to a lower level at 72 h and was lower than that in the model and sham-operated groups (P<0.05). The peak time for the expression of TNF-α protein in the peripheral serum of both the model and the acupuncture groups was 24 h, but the expression in the acupuncture group was lower than the model group. Additionally, the expression of TNF-α in all experimental groups was higher than the normal group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Acupuncture at DU20 and ST36 in rats attenuated CIRI, which was associated with a reduction in the expression of HSP70 and TNF-α. These results provide clues to acupuncture’s neuroprotective properties. Acupuncture at DU20 and ST36 in rats after CIRI can adjust the expression of HSP70 and TNF-α in the peripheral serum, which might be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture’s attenuation of CIRI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China

    Hong Xu  (徐 虹), Hua Sun  (孙 华), Su-hui Chen  (陈素辉), Ya-min Zhang  (张亚敏) & Yuan-lin Piao  (朴元林)

  2. Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China

    Yang Gao  (高 扬)

Authors
  1. Hong Xu  (徐 虹)
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  2. Hua Sun  (孙 华)
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  3. Su-hui Chen  (陈素辉)
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  4. Ya-min Zhang  (张亚敏)
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  5. Yuan-lin Piao  (朴元林)
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  6. Yang Gao  (高 扬)
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Correspondence to Hua Sun  (孙 华).

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81072889) and Special Funding for Research in Health Industry of the Ministry of Science and Technology (No. 200902004-12)

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Xu, H., Sun, H., Chen, Sh. et al. Effects of acupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) on the expression of heat shock protein 70 and tumor necrosis factor α in the peripheral serum of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion-injured rats. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 20, 369–374 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1800-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1800-z

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