Effects of acupuncture treatment on microRNAs expression in ovarian tissues from Tripterygium glycoside-induced diminished ovarian reserve rats

Abstract

Acupuncture is widely used to improve ovarian function. Previously, we demonstrated that acupuncture can improve oxidative stress in rats with tripterygium glycoside tablet suspension (TG)-induced diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Herein, we aimed to explore the antioxidation mechanism of acupuncture for ameliorating the ovarian reserve in DOR rats. We performed microRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to screen differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs) in ovarian tissues. In total, 1,172 miRNAs were identified by miRNA sequencing, of which 28 DE miRNAs were detected (including 14 upregulated and 14 downregulated) in ovarian tissues from the acupuncture group when compared with the DOR model rats. Based on functional enrichment analysis, the target genes of DE miRNAs were significantly enriched in GO-biological process (BP) terms associated with biological processes, positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II, signal transduction, regulation of transcription, DNA-templated processes, and oxidation–reduction processes. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, the main pathways were the MAPK signaling pathway, hepatitis B, proteoglycans in cancer, human cytomegalovirus infection, and the Ras signaling pathway. Finally, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR results confirmed that rno-miR-92b-3p, mdo-miR-26b-5p_R+1_1ss10TC, and bta-miR-7857-3p_R-1 were downregulated in the acupuncture group. The results revealed the impact of acupuncture on miRNA profiling of ovarian tissues from DOR rats, suggesting that rno-miR-92b-3p, mdo-miR-26b-5p_R+1_1ss10TC, and bta-miR-7857-3p_R-1 might provide relevant cues to relieve DOR-mediated oxidative stress.

Clinical efficacy of acupuncture for diminished ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…( 39 ) found that electro-acupuncture could increase primordial follicle counts, E 2 and AMH levels, while decreasing FSH and LH levels by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Another study indicated that acupuncture could inhibit bta-miR-7857-3p_R-1, mdo-miR-26b-5p_R+1_1ss10TC, and rno-miR-92b-3p expression in ovarian tissues and improve ovarian function via relieving DOR-mediated oxidative stress ( 18 ). Besides, some investigations also found acupuncture could reduce granulosa cell autophagy by weakening the expression of LncMEG3 and regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway ( 40 ).…”

“…However, these may account for adverse risks like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, venous thromboembolism, stroke, and breast cancer ( 15 , 16 ). Owing to these side effects, an increasing number of patients with DOR have sought complementary and alternative medicine based on growing clinical evidence, such as acupuncture, to improve treatment outcomes ( 17 , 18 ).…”