Circulating gonadotropins and ovarian adiponectin system are modulated by acupuncture independently of sex steroid or β-adrenergic action in a female hyperandrogenic rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome. (5th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maliqueo, Manuel; Benrick, Anna; Alvi, Asif; Johansson, Julia; Sun, Miao; Labrie, Fernand; Ohlsson, Claes; Stener-Victorin, Elisabet
• Is Part Of: Molecular and cellular endocrinology. Volume 412(2015)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2015-09-05
• Subjects: BMD bone mineral density -- DHT dihydrotestosterone -- EA electroacupuncture -- FSH follicle-stimulating hormone -- IGF insulin-like growth factor -- LH luteinizing hormone -- PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome -- sc subcutaneous; Polycystic ovary syndrome -- Animal model -- Acupuncture -- Estradiol -- Sympathetic nervous system; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Hormones -- Periodicals; Endocrinologie -- Périodiques; Cytology; Endocrinology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 573.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.04.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-7207

Abstract

Highlights: Electroacupuncture induces estrous-cycle changes in a rat model of PCOS. Electroacupuncture normalizes circulating gonadotropin levels. Electroacupuncture increases ovarian expression of ADIPOR2 protein. Electroacupuncture induces the ovarian phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Abstract: Acupuncture with combined manual and low-frequency electrical stimulation, or electroacupuncture (EA), reduces endocrine and reproductive dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), likely by modulating sympathetic nerve activity or sex steroid synthesis. To test this hypothesis, we induced PCOS in rats by prepubertal implantation of continuous-release letrozole pellets (200 µg/day) or vehicle. Six weeks later, rats were treated for 5–6 weeks with low-frequency EA 5 days/week, subcutaneous injection of 17β-estradiol (2.0 µg) every fourth day, or a β-adrenergic blocker (propranolol hydrochloride, 0.1 mg/kg) 5 days/week. Letrozole controls were handled without needle insertion or injected with sesame oil every fourth day. Estrous cyclicity, ovarian morphology, sex steroids, gonadotropins, insulin-like growth factor I, bone mineral density, and gene and protein expression in ovarian tissue were measured. Low-frequency EA induced estrous-cycle changes, decreased high levels of circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) and the LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio, decreased high ovarian gene expression of adiponectin receptor 2, and increased expression of adiponectin receptor 2 protein and phosphorylation of ERK1/2. EA also increased cortical bone mineral density. Propranolol decreased ovarian expression of Foxo3, Srd5a1, and Hif1a . Estradiol decreased circulating LH, induced estrous cycle changes, and decreased ovarian expression of Adipor1, Foxo3, and Pik3r1 . Further, total bone mineral density was higher in the letrozole–estradiol group. Thus, EA modulates the circulating gonadotropin levels independently of sex steroids or β-adrenergic action and affects the expression of ovarian adiponectin system.