Electro-acupuncture and physical exercise reduce mesenteric adipose tissue gene expression of sympathetic markers in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Altered activity of the sympathetic nervous system has been suggested as a potential actor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) etiology. Electro-acupuncture (EA) and physical exercise has the potential to decrease high activity in sympathetic nervous system via stimulation of ergoreceptors and somatic afferents in the muscles. The aim of this study was to study sympathetic activity in adipose tissue by measuring mesenteric adipose tissue gene expression of sympathetic markers (β3-adrenergic receptor [β3-AR], nerve growth factor [NGF], low affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor [p75NTR] and neuropeptide Y [NPY]) in PCOS rats.