通过PI3K/AKT信号通路探讨针灸治疗偏头痛的作用机制OA

Objective To explore the mechanism of acupuncture for migraine based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway.Methods One hundred male SPF rats aged 6 to 8 months were divided into a blank group,a model group,a Western medicine group,a non-acupoint group,and an acupuncture group according to the random number table method,with 20 rats in each group.The model group and the Western medicine group received distilled water(10 ml/kg)and carbamazepine(200 mg/kg)by gavage,respectively.The non-acupoint group received perpendicular insertion at non-acupoints 1 and 2 on the trunk,with needles being retained for 20 min.The acupuncture group received perpendicular insertion of the Taichong(LR 3)and Yanglingquan(GB 34)points,as well as transverse insertion at the Shuaigu(GB 8)points,on both sides.The twirling and reduction method was used for 1 minute,with 10 minutes each time,while the needles were retained for 30 min,and the intervention was carried out continuously for 9 days.Afterwards,behavior,mechanical pain threshold,and apoptosis rate of brain tissue neurons were recorded.The following parameters in brain tissue were determined by different methods:endothelin-1(ET-1),serotonin(5-HT),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),PI3K/AKT mRNA expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),as well as PI3K/AKT protein expression by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited increased numbers of cage climbing and head scratching,apoptosis rate of brain tissue neurons and ET-1,TNF-α,PI3K mRNA,AKT mRNA,PI3K,and AKT protein levels,as well as decreased mechanical pain threshold and 5-HT level(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,in the non-acupoint group,the Western medicine group,and the acupuncture group,the number of cage climbing and head scratching decreased,and the apoptosis rate of brain tissue neurons,the levels of ET-1,TNF-α,PI3K mRNA,AKT mRNA,PI3K and AKT proteins also decreased,while the mechanical pain threshold and 5-HT level increased(P<0.05).Compared with the non-acupoint group,the number of cage climbing and head scratching in the Western medicine group and the acupuncture group decreased,and the apoptosis rate of brain tissue neurons,the levels of ET-1,TNF-α,PI3K mRNA,AKT mRNA,PI3K and AKT protein also decreased,while the mechanical pain threshold and 5-HT level increased(P<0.05).Compared with the Western medicine group,the acupuncture group exhibited decreased ET-1,TNF-α,PI3K mRNA,AKT mRNA,PI3K,and AKT protein levels,as well as increased 5-HT level(P<0.05).However,results were close in the number of cage climbing and head scratching,mechanical pain threshold,and the apoptosis rate of brain tissue neurons between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture treats migraine via regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.