RNA Sequencing Analysis of Gene Expression by Electroacupuncture in Guinea Pig Gallstone Models.

Mingyao Hao,Zhaofeng Li,Hongwei Sun,Zongchen Shao,Luyao Xu,Zhiqiang Dou

doi:10.1155/2022/3793946

Abstract

Background Clinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) promotes gallbladder motility and alleviates gallstone. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of EA on gallstone is poorly understood. In this study, the mRNA transcriptome analysis was used to study the possible therapeutic targets of EA. Methods Hartley SPF guinea pigs were employed for the gallstone models. Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform was used for the RNA sequencing of guinea pig gallbladders in the normal group (Normal), gallstone model group (Model), and EA-treated group (EA). Differently expressed genes (DEGs) were examined separately in Model vs. Normal and EA vs. Model. DEGs reversed by EA were selected by comparing the DEGs of Model vs. Normal and EA vs. Model. Biological functions were enriched by gene ontology (GO) analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was analyzed. Results After 2 weeks of EA, 257 DEGs in Model vs. Normal and 1704 DEGs in EA vs. Model were identified. 94 DEGs reversed by EA were identified among these DEGs, including 28 reversed upregulated DEGs and 66 reversed downregulated DEGs. By PPI network analysis, 10 hub genes were found by Cytohubba plugin of Cytoscape. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verified the changes. Conclusion We identified a few GOs and genes that might play key roles in the treatment of gallstone. This study may help understand the therapeutic mechanism of EA for gallstone.

Highlights

Gallstone disease affects 4% to 20% of the population [1, 2]
We identified a few gene ontology (GO) and genes that might play key roles in the treatment of gallstone. is study may help understand the therapeutic mechanism of EA for gallstone
(3) EA group. e normal group (Normal) group was fed with a normal diet, while the model group (Model) group and EA group were fed with a lithogenic diet for 6 weeks

Summary

Introduction

Gallstone disease affects 4% to 20% of the population [1, 2]. More than 80% of gallstones were cholesterol stones [3, 4].ough approximately 3/4 of the patients are asymptomatic, the major burden generates when symptoms or complications occur [5]. erefore, it has gained attention worldwide [2, 6]. E mechanisms of the pathogenesis of gallstone are multifaceted, including lithogenic genes, altered bile lipid composition, intestinal absorption of cholesterol, gut microbiota, defective gallbladder motility, dietary factors, and lifestyles [3, 5, 8]. A high-lipid diet or fat consumption from meat or fried foods increases the likelihood of gallstones [8, 9]. While diet patterns, such as vegetarian diet, alternate Mediterranean diet, Alternate Healthy Eating Index diet, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, may act as protective factors against the formation of gallstones [8, 10, 11]. 94 DEGs reversed by EA were identified among these DEGs, including 28 reversed upregulated DEGs and 66 reversed downregulated DEGs. By PPI network analysis, 10 hub genes were found by Cytohubba plugin of Cytoscape. We identified a few GOs and genes that might play key roles in the treatment of gallstone. is study may help understand the therapeutic mechanism of EA for gallstone

Methods

Results

Conclusion