PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway Mechanism of Electroacupuncture in Regulating Lipid Metabolism in Perimenopausal Obesity
Objective To observe the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(Akt)signal transducer in liver tissue of rats with bilateral ovarian castration(OVX)by electroacupuncture at Guanyuan(CV4)point,and explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture in up regulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway,regulating lipid metabolism,and reducing weight was investigated.Methods Thirty-two female SD rats were randomly divided into blank,sham operation,model and electroacupuncture group,with 8 rats in each group.Perimenopausal obesity(PMO)model was prepared by OVX in the model and the electroacupuncture group.After the model was successfully prepared,the electroacupuncture group was subjected to electroacupuncture at CV4(continuous wave,2 Hz,1 mA),once day,20 min once time,and for 14 consecutive days.The body mass of each group of rats was recorded during the whole experiment,and Lee's index was calculated during sampling.The pathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.Serum levels of HDL,LDL and TG were detected by ELISA.Western blot analysis of PI3K,Akt,p-Akt protein expression and p-Akt/Akt in liver tissues.Results Compared with blank group and sham operation group,the body mass of rats in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05),Lee's index was increased(P<0.05),fat vacuoles appeared in liver,serum HDL level was decreased(P<0.001),LDL and TG levels were increased(P<0.01).PI3K,Akt,p-Akt,p-Akt/Akt were decreased in liver(P<0.05).Compared with model group,body mass and Lee's index of rats in electroacupuncture group were decreased(P<0.05),fat vacuoles in liver were decreased,HDL level was increased(P<0.01),LDL and TG levels were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),PI3K,Akt and P-Akt were decreased(P<0.05),and p-akt/Akt decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at CV4 can significantly up-regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,improve lipid metabolism disorder and accumulation,and reduce body mass in OVX rats.