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Effect of Acupuncture on Ovary Morphology and Function in DHEA-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model Rats

  • Acupuncture Research
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effects of acupuncture on ovary morphology and function in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model rats.

Methods

A total of 40 adult female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups by a random number table, including control, model, metformin and acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each group. PCOS rat model was developed by injecting with DHEA (6 mg/100 g body weight) in 0.2 mL of oil subcutaneously. Electrical stimulation (2 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA1) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints for 30 min daily in the acupuncture group, and metformin (200 mg/kg) was given to rats in the metformin group, both once per day for 21 consecutive days, and rats in the normal group was fed with normal saline and fed regularly. After 21 days of administration, the rat blood samples were collected for detecting the reproductive hormonal levels [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T)] and inflammatory factors (visfatin, IL-6) analysis. Ovary tissue was used for histopathological analysis.

Results

Compared with the model group, rats in the acupuncture and metformin groups were significantly lower in weight gain, FSH, LH and T levels, and E2 and P levels significantly increased (alll P<0.05). Meanwhile, LH and FSH levels were significantly decreased, and P, T and E2 levels significantly increased in the acupuncture group, compared with the metformin group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, IL-6 and visfatin levels were significantly decreased in the acupuncture and metformin groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL-6 and visfatin levels between the acupuncture and metformin groups (P>0.05). Ovarian diameter in the acupuncture and metformin groups were smaller than the model group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in ovarian diameters between the acupuncture and metformin groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture might improve ovary morphology and its function in DHEA-induced PCOS model rats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Acupuncture, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing o100029, China

    Dan Li, Peng Bai, Zhong-peng Wang & Xiao-han Qi

  2. Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China

    Jin-yang Wu

  3. Department of Massage, Beijing Hepingli Hospital, Beijing, 100013, China

    Min Xie

  4. Department of Encephalopathy, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China

    Rui-zhen Zhao

Authors
  1. Dan Li
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  2. Peng Bai
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  3. Jin-yang Wu
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  4. Min Xie
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  5. Rui-zhen Zhao
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  6. Zhong-peng Wang
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  7. Xiao-han Qi
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Contributions

Li D, Bai P and Wang ZP designed the research study; Li D, Xie M and Zhao RZ performed the research and analyzed the data; Li D, Bai P, Wu JY, Xie M and Qi XH participated in writing the manuscript. All authors approved the manuscript for submission.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peng Bai.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Supported by Scientific Research Fund of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (No. 2016-JYB-JSMS-070)

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Li, D., Bai, P., Wu, Jy. et al. Effect of Acupuncture on Ovary Morphology and Function in DHEA-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model Rats. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 27, 220–224 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-021-3290-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-021-3290-0

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