Arginine Vasopressin and Arginine Vasopressin Receptor 1b Involved in Electroacupuncture-Attenuated Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hyperactivity in Hepatectomy Rats

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study aims to know the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in maintenance of the homeostasis of the neuroendocrine system in hepatectomy rats and the involvement of arginine vasopressin (AVP) signaling in hypothalamus after EA was observed.Materials and MethodsRats were randomly assigned to four groups, including the intact group, model group, sham‐EA group, and EA group. EA was given during the perioperative period at the Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points after hepatectomy. The serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) levels were detected via radioimmunoassay. The expression of AVP, arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a), arginine vasopressin receptor 1b (AVPR1b), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was detected by Western blot after surgery.ResultsCompared with the intact group, the ACTH and CORT levels in the serum of model group were increased, whereas the ACTH and CORT levels were decreased in the EA group compared with the model group. Moreover, AVP and AVPR1b protein levels in the pituitary gland were increased in the model group and decreased in the EA group. Further, a distinct increase in the AVP and AVPR1a protein levels was observed in the model group, whereas they were significantly decreased in the EA group. Blockade of AVPR1b by nelivaptan reduced the increase of ACTH and CORT. D [Leu4, Lys8] vasopressin can inhibit the effect of EA in rectification of the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis.Conclusions EA application at ST36 and SP6 can ameliorate the hyperactivity of the HPA axis via AVP signaling during the perioperative period.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Surgical Trauma-Induced Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis Hyperactivity Via microRNA-142

“…However, there was no evidence concerning hypothalamic miRNAs in the modulation of the HPA axis function. Our previous study proved that EA could attenuate the hyperactivity of the HPA axis in hepatectomy rats (Zhu et al, 2016 ), but whether miRNAs were involved in the EA regulation effect of HPA axis in hepatectomy was still a question.…”

“…The hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis plays an inevitable role in controlling the stress reaction, especially those induced by surgery and severe injury (Gibbison et al, 2013 ). Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proven to normalize the HPA axis dysfunction during surgery (Zhu et al, 2016 ), but its potential mechanism still needs to be elucidated.…”

Effects of electroacupuncture on stress and anxiety-related responses in rats

“…For example, stimulation of E36 activated the limbic system (Hui et al 2005) and F3 caused limbic-cortical deactivation (Fang et al 2007). Moreover, the HPA axis activity was altered by EEA (Xu et al 2004, Sun and Wang 2007, Zhu et al 2015, Le et al 2015. It has been suggested that the ability of one particular stimulus 1010 RICARDO M. BASSETTO et al…”

Over-expression of arginine vasopressin in magnocellular neurosecretory cells of hypothalamus and its potential relationship with development of diabetic nephropathy

“…Two observers blinded to the brain conditions were enrolled to analyze the immunohistochemical-stained brain slides. For AVP expression in the hypothalamus, immunofluorescence was performed as previously described, with some alterations [11]. Slices were washed in PBS for 30 min at room temperature and blocked with 10% normal goat serum before being incubated in a rabbit monoclonal antibody against AVP (1 : 100; Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Burlingame, CA, USA) diluted in 0.01 mol/l PBS containing 1% bovine serum albumin, 0.02% sodium azide, and 0.03% Triton X-100 at 4°C overnight.…”