Investigation into the Mechanism of ATP-Induced Senescence Treated with Hegu and Taichong Electroacupuncture

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the aging mechanism of ATP injection combined with Electroacupuncture at Hegu and Taizhong points, and to provide scientific basis for subsequent clinical research. Methods: 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group was injected with normal saline; Model group rats were injected with ATP solution; In the intervention group, the frequency of electroacupuncture was 20Hz, 30Hz and 50Hz, respectively. Electroacupuncture at Hegu Point and Taizhong point once a day for 20 minutes each time. Blood RNA was extracted by TRIzol method, and gene sequencing was performed to identify the differential genes. In addition, the "Senescence" gene data was retrieved from the NCBI gene database and intersected with the sequencing data. The core genes were analyzed by enrichment analysis, module analysis, miRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis and PCR validation. In addition, cell cycle, apoptosis, ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated. Results: DGE analysis found 3,510 DEGs in the sequencing data, of which 3,487 up-regulated genes and 23 down-regulated genes. According to KEGG, These genes are mainly involved in the T cell receptor signaling pathway, Human T−cell leukemia virus 1 infection, Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum and Phosphatidylinositol signaling system. The 59 common genes of aging identified by Venn diagram analysis, KEGG was mainly involved in AGE−RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Non−alcoholic fatty liver disease and FoxO signaling pathway and other pathways. Venn diagram is used to show the seven core genes identified by all four algorithms: HSPA4, CASP3, AKT1, PARP1, NFKB1, GSK3B, FOXO3. Electroacupuncture can inhibit apoptosis in ATP-induced aging treatment of rats, and significantly increase mitochondrial membrane potential. In Electro-acupuncture group, cells in G0\G1 cycle significantly increase, and ROS level significantly decrease. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture can inhibit Senescence induced by ATP injection.