Acupuncture Improves Endometrial Angiogenesis by Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway in a Rat Model with PCOS

Abstract

Background. Acupuncture, a treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine, can effectively relieve the symptoms and improve pregnancy outcome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed at investigating whether acupuncture could improve endometrial angiogenesis and thus endometrial receptivity via activating PI3K/AKT pathway in PCOS rats. Methods. We established a rat model with PCOS, which was induced by DHEA. Acupuncture was performed every other day for 15 days, and the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was intraperitoneal injected 30 mins before acupuncture treatment. Females rats were mated with male SPF SD rats in a ratio of 2 : 1 after treatment and sacrificed on the 5th day when the vaginal plug was identified. The number of implantation sites was observed, followed by ovarian and endometrial morphology detected with hematoxylin-eosin staining and a scanning electron microscope, estrous cycle detected with vaginal smear analysis, and sex hormones and angiogenesis-related PI3K/AKT gene/protein expression detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, immune histochemistry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Results. Acupuncture notably improved implantation sites’ number, endometrial receptivity factors including endometrial morphology, pinopodes, HOX-10, and LIF protein expression, as well as angiogenesis and PI3K/AKT pathway factors such as VEGF, VEGFR2, Ang-1, PI3K, AKT, and P-AKT gene/protein expression and the level of eNOS and NO in the endometrium of rats with PCOS; PCOS-like symptoms were alleviated as well. The efficacy of acupuncture on a rat model with PCOS was counteracted by the combination with the PI3K inhibitor. Conclusion. Acupuncture improves endometrial angiogenesis by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thus promoting endometrial receptivity and the number of implantation sites in rats with PCOS.

Effects of scalp acupuncture combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment at different time intervals

“…Contemporary research shows that acupuncture may exert its effects on neurological conditions like post-stroke cognitive impairment through modulation of several molecular pathways. The six key signaling pathways mentioned-NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chainenhancer of activated B cells), PI3K/Akt (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B), MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases), JAK/STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription), CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein), and Notch -are all involved in various cellular processes including inflammation, cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity, all of which play critical roles in neuronal recovery after stroke [23][24][25][26][27][28]. Acupuncture has shown potential to positively regulate these pathways, thus enhancing neuroprotection, reducing inflammation, promoting neural regeneration, and improving cognitive function.…”

Acupuncture Ameliorated Behavioral Abnormalities in the Autism Rat Model via Pathways for Hippocampal Serotonin

“… 43 For childhood autism, common acupuncture methods include brain tri-points, four-spirit points, spirit setting points, mental tri-points, spirit waiting-up points and foot mental points, etc. 44 Acupuncture can also significantly improve the symptoms of various animal models, such as animal model of COPD, 45 animal model of cerebra hemorrhage, 46 animal model of PCOS 47 and animal model of ASD. 48 Hence, acupuncture has aroused the interest of researchers from various disciplines in its potential mechanisms of action.…”

Clinical Efficacy and Experimental Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Moxibustion Therapy in Ovarian Injury

“…When moxibustion intervention was performed during the occurrence of the disease, Li et al 28 demonstrated that moxibustion could improve tripterygium glycoside (TGS) suspension-induced ovarian function decline and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in DOR rats by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which was consistent with the previous study. 25 Similarly, the efficacy of moxibustion intervention after the occurrence of female reproductive system diseases in animals has been demonstrated. Moxa-moxibustion intervention can reduce the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by TGS-damaged ovarian tissue and follicular development in rats and improve the inflammatory microenvironment by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.…”

“…In addition, it was also demonstrated that LncMEG3 could target miR-21-3p to inhibit the early and late apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS rats, 24 which revealed the significance of acupuncture in the treatment of PCOS. For the study of acupuncture intervention in PCOS rat models, Xing et al 25 provide another insight into the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of PCOS, suggesting that acupuncture can improve endometrial angiogenesis by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby promoting endometrial receptibility and the number of implant sites in PCOS rats, providing a more theoretical basis for clinical application.…”

“…When moxibustion intervention was performed during the occurrence of the disease, Li et al 28 demonstrated that moxibustion could improve tripterygium glycoside (TGS) suspension-induced ovarian function decline and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in DOR rats by regulating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which was consistent with the previous study. 25…”