Abstract
BackgroundRepeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is known to stimulate the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and to enhance the circulation level of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats. To explore the source of the increased circulation estrogen, the extragonadal aromatization was detected.MethodsFemale rats were divided into five groups: 1) intact (INT), 2) intact with EA in specific points (INT+EA), 3) ovariectomized (OVX), 4) ovariectomized with EA in specific points (OVX+EA) and 5) ovariectomized with EA in non-specific points (OVX+C). Radiometric assay, Western blot and RT-PCR were adopted to determine the extragonadal aromatization in subcutaneous abdominal (SA) adipose and liver tissues of rats. The blood concentrations of estrogen, testosterone and corticosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay.ResultsThe aromatase activities of the SA adipose and liver tissues in the OVX+EA rats increased significantly (p < 0.01) compared with those in the INT, INT+EA and OVX rats. The 58-kDa aromatase protein and aromatase mRNA expressions normalized to β-actin in the OVX+EA rats' SA adipose tissues showed higher levels than those from corresponding tissues in the INT and INT+EA rats (p < 0.05). And the ratios of aromatase mRNA and protein to β-actin in the OVX+EA rats' liver tissues increased significantly compared with those in the OVX rats (p < 0.05). Furthermore, blood estrogen and corticosterone concentrations showed significant increase in the OVX+EA rats compared with the concentrations in the OVX and OVX+C rats (p < 0.05), but no statistical disparity occurred on the blood testosterone concentrations between the OVX+EA rats and the OVX ones.ConclusionBoth the subcutaneous abdominal adipose and the liver tissues contributed to the effects of electroacupuncture on the extragonadal aromatization to promote the blood concentrations of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats.
Highlights
Repeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is known to stimulate the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and to enhance the circulation level of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats
Both the subcutaneous abdominal adipose and the liver tissues contributed to the effects of electroacupuncture on the extragonadal aromatization to promote the blood concentrations of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats
We have observed that repeated electroacupuncture (EA) in specific acupoints significantly increased blood concentrations of estradiol (E2) in the OVX rats [4], while reducing the elevated plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) due to OVX [5]; in addition, EA restored the number of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the OVX rats [4]
Summary
Repeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is known to stimulate the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and to enhance the circulation level of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats. We have observed that repeated electroacupuncture (EA) in specific acupoints significantly increased blood concentrations of estradiol (E2) in the OVX rats [4], while reducing the elevated plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) due to OVX [5]; in addition, EA restored the number of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the OVX rats [4] These results suggest that EA effectively enhance the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis (HPOA). Simpson developed the intriguing concept of extragonadal aromatization, i.e. androgens, androstenedione produced primarily in the adrenal glands, can be converted (aromatised) into estrogens at extraglandular sites, including the mesenchymal cells of the adipose tissue and skin, osteoblasts and chondrocytes in bone, vascular endothelial, aortic smooth muscle cells as well as numerous sites in the brain [6] Estrogen synthesised within these sites is biologically active in a paracrine or intracrine fashion, it may enter the circulation and increase the circulating levels of estrogen [6]
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