Effect of Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique on peroxidation and apoptosis of kidney tissue in aging rats

Abstract

To observe the effect of Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique on the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and apoptosis rate in kidney tissue of aging model rats and explore the potential mechanism of such needling technique. A total of 40 adult male SD rats were randomized into a blank control group, a model control group, a Zhulian needling technique group and a routine acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. Except the blank control group, the sub-acute aging rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection with 10% D-galactose solution, 5 mL/kg in the rats of the other groups. In the Zhulian needling technique group and the routine acupuncture group, Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique and the routine acupuncture technique were exerted at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) respectively. The needles were retained for 30 min, once a day, for 28 days totally. After intervention, the content of H2O2 in kidney tissue was detected by colorimetry, the content of MDA in kidney tissue was detected by thiobarbituric acid method and the apoptosis rate of kidney cells was detected by terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling. Compared with the blank control group, the contents of H2O2 and MDA in kidney tissue and kidney cell apoptosis rate were all increased in the model control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model control group, the contents of H2O2 and MDA in kidney tissue and kidney cell apoptosis rate were all reduced in the Zhulian needling technique group and the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05), and these indexes in the Zhulian needling technique group were all lower than the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). Zhulian needle insertion by slow twirling technique delays aging probably by regulating peroxidation and apoptosis.