Effect Of Zhu Lian’s Inhibition Type Ⅱ Needle Method On The Expression Of PGF2α,PGE2,VEGF And MMP-2 In Rats With Sequelae Of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zhu Lian’s inhibiting type II acupuncture on the expression of serum prostaglandin(PGF2α),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)in rats with pelvic inflammatory disease sequelae(SPID)and the mechanism of action.Methods: Fifty-five female infertile SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,western medicine group,normal acupuncture group and Zhu Lian inhibition type II acupuncture group,11 rats in each group.The SPID rat model was prepared by intrauterine injection of mixed bacterial solution combined with mechanical injury method.In the Western medicine group,a suspension solution made of azithromycin tablets was administered by gavage at 45mg/kg;the "Zhongji(RN3)" and bilateral "Sanyinjiao(SP6)" points of the rats were selected,and the needles were retained for 15 min after acupuncture in the conventional acupuncture group,while in the Zhu Lian’s suppression type II acupuncture group(acupuncture group),the needles were retained for 15 min after acupuncture in the Zhu Lian suppression type II acupuncture group.Both were intervened once daily for 4 weeks.The pathological morphological changes of the rat uterus were observed by HE staining;the levels of PGF2α and PGE2 in the serum of each group were measured by ELISA;the expression levels of VEGF and MMP-2 in the uterus of each group were detected by Western blot.Results: Compared with the blank group,the serum levels of PGF2α and PGE2 in the model group were significantly higher(P < 0.01),and the expression of VEGF and MMP-2 protein in the uterine tissues of rats was significantly higher(P<0.01,P<0.05);a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the uterine tissues of rats in the model group,with disorganized tissue structure and slight fibrosis.Compared with the model group,the serum levels of PGF2α and PGE2 in the rats of the Western medicine group,the normal acupuncture group and the Zhu Lian’s inhibition type II acupuncture group were all reduced(P<0.01),and the expression of VEGF and MMP-2 protein in the uterine tissues of the rats were all reduced(P<0.01,P<0.05).The levels of PGF2α,PGE2,VEGF,and MMP-2 were significantly reduced in all treatment groups after the intervention compared with the model group,and the efficacy of the acupuncture group was similar to that of the western medicine group and better than that of the normal acupuncture group.Conclusion(s): Zhu Lian’s Inhibition Type II acupuncture can down-regulate prostaglandins in the serum of rats,reduce the expression level of related proteins in the rat uterus and alleviate the symptoms of inflammation.