Study on the mechanism of electrostimulation at Zusanli Point to increase miR-374 expression, promote autophagy and relieve hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury
Li Ye-sheng，Yang Zong-guo，Liu Jiao
Abstract:
Objective To explore the protective mechanism and principle of Electro-Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated group (NT), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR), electro-Acupuncture group (IR+EA), electro-acupuncture group+miR-374 inhibitor group (IR+EA+siRNA), electro-acupuncture group+miR-374 inhibitor group (IR+EA+siRNA). Samples were collected at 8 hours and each group has 8 rats. Firstly, the serum ALT level had been tested. The quantitative PCR was used to detected the expression level of miR-374. The Western blot was used to evaluate LC-3II and Beclin-1 protein level. The HE staining was used to measure the liver damage. The one-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups. Results Compared with sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group had higher level of liver damage, serum ALT, TNF-α with lower expression of miR-374 and higher expression of LC-3II and Beclin-1. Compared with ischemia-reperfusion group, electro-acupuncture group had apparently decreased the liver damage, ALT, TNF-α with upregulated miR-374 and higher expression of LC-3II and Beclin-1. Compared with electro-acupuncture group, electro-acupuncture group+miR-374 inhibitor group reversed the therapeutical effect of electro-acupuncture. Conclusion Electro-acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) upregulated the expression of miR-374, then promoted autophagy to mitigate the liver injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion.
