Effects of electroacupuncture on sexual development and ovarian estrogen receptor β expression in female adolescent obese rats

Abstract

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on sexual development and ovarian estrogen receptor β(ER-β) expression in female adolescent obese rats induced by high-fat diet, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms of improving adolescent obesity. Female SD rats (age of 21 days) were randomly divided into control, model and acupuncture groups, with 6 rats in each group. The obese model was established by feeding high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Rats of the acupuncture group received electroacupuncture(2 Hz, 0.5-1.2 mA)stimulation at bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP6), "Fenglong"(ST40) and "Zusanli"(ST36) for 30 min, once a day for 14 days. The body mass and abdominal circumference of rats were measured before and after treatment. The contents of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) were detected by ELISA. The number of corpus luteum and follicle were observed by HE staining. The expression levels of ER-β mRNA and protein in ovary were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Compared with the control group, the body mass and abdominal circumference, the contents of serum FSH and E2, and the expression levels of ER-β mRNA and protein in ovary were significantly increased (P<0.05)in the model group, while the number of mature follicles and corpus luteum increased significantly. Compared with the model group, the body mass and abdominal circumference, the contents of serum FSH and E2, and the expression levels of ER-β mRNA and protein in ovary were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group, while the number of mature follicles and corpus luteum decreased significantly. Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the levels of sex hormone and the development of ovary, down-regulate the expression levels of ER-β mRNA and protein in ovary, so as to regulate the process of sexual development of female adolescent obese rats induced by high-fat diet.