| Objective: To investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture pretreatment on the expression of CD36 and SR-A1 genes and proteins in peritoneal macrophages of atherosclerotic rabbits,and to explore the preventive effect of acupuncture regulation on atherosclerosis.Methods: Thirty-two male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: blank control group(7 rabbits),model group(19 rabbits)and electro-acupuncture pretreatment group(6 rabbits).Rabbit atherosclerosis models were fed with high-fat diet plus balloon injury of common carotid artery.The pathological changes of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits were observed by staining from one of the blank group and the model group to determine whether the model was successful.The model group was then randomly divided into model control group,positive drug group and electro-acupuncture treatment group,with 6 rabbits in each group.After 8 weeks of successful modeling,the model group received 4 weeks of intervention.After a week of adaptive feeding,electro-acupuncture pretreatment was carried out.Neiguan,Zusanli and Guanyuan acupoints on both sides were needled.Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints on both sides were connected to the electro-acupuncture apparatus for 20 minutes.Dense waves(4 Hz/20 Hz,1 m A)were used once a day,6 days of acupuncture,1 day of rest,3 weeks of acupuncture,and 8 weeks of modeling were performed.After successful modeling,the electro-acupuncture group was given the same as the electro-acupuncture group.Intervention therapy.The implement of HE staining enable the observation of pathological changes in rabbits from each group,and of blood lipid levels in rabbit serum from each group.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD36 and SR-A1 in peritoneal macrophages of rabbits in each group,and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of CD36 and SR-A1 in peritoneal macrophages of rabbits in each group.Results: 1 HE staining section results Compared with the blank control group,the intima of the common carotid artery from the model control group was severely damaged,it is clear to see the Subintimal atheromatous plaques,meanwhile,the inflammatory cell was infiltrated and numerous foam cells appeared.Compared with model group: A portion of the common carotid artery intima from the electroacupuncture group and positive drug group thickened and was not smooth or complete,with the plaques significantly reduced,the difference between these two groups was not obvious under light microscopic;Compared with electroacupuncture group and positive drug group: a slight increase of the vessel thickness from the Electroacupuncture pretreatment group with lesser plaque.2 Blood lipid level test results Compared with the blank control group,a significant increase in the express of TC、TG and LDL of blood fat and a significant decrease in the express of HDL for the model control group,the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05);Compared with the model control group,a considerable drop in the express of TC、TG and LDL of blood fat and a considerable rise in the express of HDL of blood fat for the electroacupuncture group and the positive drug group(P<0.05),however,the comparative differences were not statistically significant between the electroacupuncture group and positive drug group(both P>0.05);Compared with the electroacupuncture group and positive drug group:A obvious descendant in the express of TC、TG and LDL of blood fat and a obvious ascendant in the express of HDL of blood fat for the electroacupuncture pretreatment group with significant comparative difference(P<0.05).3 The expression of CD36 and SR-A1 in Peritoneal Macrophages of Atherosclerotic Rabbits The m RNA and protein expression of peritoneal macrophage receptors CD36 and SR-A1 in the model group increased significantly(P<0.05)in comparison with the normal group;Additionally,the m RNA and protein expression of peritoneal macrophage receptors CD36 and SR-A1 in the electroacupuncture group and the positive drug group were significantly decreased(P<0.05)compared with the model group;and the difference in the comparison between the electroacupuncture treatment group and the positive drug group was not statistically significant(all P>0.05).At last,compared with the electroacupuncture group and the positive group,the m RNA and protein expression of the peritoneal macrophage receptor CD36 and SR-A1 in the electroacupuncture preconditioning group were significantly decreased(P<0.05)Conclusion: 1.Electroacupuncture pretreatment can protect rabbit carotid tissue from atherosclerosis and reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaque 2.Electroacupuncture pretreatment can significantly decrease the express of TC、TG and LDL of the blood serum and significantly increase the express of HDL,thus,effectively prevented changes in blood lipid levels.3.Electro-acupuncture pretreatment can significantly reduce the expression of macrophage receptors CD36 and SR-A1 in the abdominal cavity of atherosclerotic rabbits,which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in preventing atherosclerotic diseases. |
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