Effects of Needling Back-Shu Points on Levels of STAT3,Th17/Treg Balance,and Related Inflammatory Factors in Hypothalamus of Insomnia Model Rats
Objective:To observe the effects of needling back-Shu points on interleukin-17(IL-17),interleukin-22(IL-22),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),helper T cell 17(Th17),regulatory T cell(Treg)and signal transduction and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3)in hypothalamus of insomnia rats,thus to explore its mechanism in improving insomnia.Methods:48 SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the Western medication group and the acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)suspension.After successful modeling,the Western medication group was treated with Estazolam Solution by gavage for a week,the acupuncture group was treated by needling back-Shu points of bilateral five-Zang for a week,and the other two groups were only intervened by grasping and fixing.Post-modeling and pre-treatment,the general condition and sleep duration were compared among each group.After the treatment,the levels of IL-17,IL-22 and TNF-α in hypothalamus and serum were detected by ELISA.Flow cytometry was used to detect Th17 and Treg positive cells in hypothalamus.The protein expressions of p-STAT3 and STAT3 in hypothalamus were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with that in the blank group,the sleep latency was lengthened(P＜0.01),and the sleep duration was shortened in the other three groups(P＜0.01).Compared with those in the blank group,the contents of IL-17,IL-22 and TNF-α in hypothalamus and serum were increased(P＜0.01),the rate of Th17 positive cells in hypothalamus was increased(P＜0.05),the rate of Treg positive cells was decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expression of P-STAT3 was increased in the model group(P＜0.01).Compared with those in the model group,the contents of IL-17,IL-22 and TNF-α in hypothalamus and serum were decreased(P＜0.01),the rate of Th 17 positive cells in hypothalamus was decreased(P＜0.05),the rate of Treg positive cells was increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the protein expression of P-STAT3 was decreased in the Western medication group and the acupuncture group(P＜0.01).Compared with those in the Western medication group,the contents of IL-17,IL-22 and TNF-α in hypothalamus and serum were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the rate of Treg positive cells was greatly increased in the acupuncture group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Needling back-Shu points can down-regulate the levels of IL-17,IL-22 and TNF-α in hypothalamus,balance the content of Th 17 and Treg cells,regulate the hyperphosphorylation of STAT3 signaling pathway,reduce its activity,and improve the hypothalamic neuroinflammation to treat insomnia.
InsomniaAcupunctureBack-Shu pointsImmune systemHelper T cell 17/regulatory T cell
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