Effect of Acupoint Catgut-embedding Therapy on Hypothalamic Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Climacteric Female Rats

Objective To investigate the effects of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy(ACT) on hypothalamic of hypothalamic norepinephrine(NE),dopamine(DA),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),5-hydroxyindole acetic acid(5-HIAA) in menopause rats,and to explore the preventive and therapeutic mechanism of ACT for climacteric syndrome.Methods Sixty female SD rats were equally randomized into treatment group,model group and sham-operation group.Except the rats in the sham-operation group,the rats in other groups received removal of bilateral ovaries to establish ovariectomized menopause rat models.The treatment group received catgut-embedding on acupoints of Shenshu,Sanyinjiao and Zigong,once per week,and the treatment lasted 4 weeks.After treatment,the hypothalamic NE,DA,5-HT,5-HIAA levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results NE and DA levels were significantly decreased(P0.05 or P0.01),5-HT and 5-HIAA levels were increased(P0.01 or P0.001) and the ratio of 5-HT/NE was significantly increased(P0.001)in the model group as compared with those in the sham-operation group.Compared with the model group,NE was increased(P0.05),5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and the ratio of 5-HT/NE were decreased in the treatment group(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy for climacteric syndrome is probably related with the regulation of hypothalamic monoamine neurotransmitters and with the correction of hypothalamus autonomic function disorder.