Experimental study on regulation of estrogen and monoamine neurotransmitters in natural climacteric rat-through electroacupuncture at "Sanyinjiao"

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture at on estrogen and monoamine neurotransmitters of natural menopausal rats. Methods Rats were divided into normal group,model group and electroacupuncture group randomly. Electro acupuncture group rats were acupunctured in Sanyinjiao for 15 therapies,each therapy was given once every other day. The rats inother two groups were fed as the model groupbut without acupuncture. ELISA method was applied to detect the levels of ovarian estradiol( E2) and monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus. Results Compared with the normal group,the concentrationof ovarianE2 in model grouprats decreased by 59. 17%( P 0. 01). After the treatment of theelectro- acupuncture,the level of E2 was significantly increased by 65. 49%( P 0. 01) compared with the model group,but the level was not restored to the normal level( P 0. 01). The central neurotransmitter results showthat compared with the normal group,the content of5-HT in hippocampus in the model group rats increased by 34. 35%. The levels of NE,DA were decreased by 33.86% and 34. 38% respectively( P 0. 01) in model group rats. The content of 5-HT in the treatment group rats were decreased by 11. 13%( P 0. 05) compared with the model grouprats. However,NE was significantly up-regulated by19. 18%( P 0. 05) at the same time. DA intreatment group rats was increased by 7. 59%,but had no statistical significance with the model group( P 0. 05). Compared with the normal group,the ratio of 5-HT /NE in model group ratsincreased significantly( P 0. 01). After the treatment of the electro-acupuncture,the ratio 5-HT /NE of the treatment group decreased significantly by23. 47%( P 0. 01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at point can regulate sex hormone levels and monoamine neurotransmitter levels in the natural climacteric rats.