活体体内光学成像技术在针灸研究中的初步应用

Pilot application of optical in vivo imaging on acupuncture research

目的:活体动物成像技术是一项崭新的生物医学成像技术,被用于基因表达模式分析、药物的靶向作用等的检测评估中。本研究首次应用该技术对针灸效应进行初步摸索,探讨其在针灸经络研究中的实用价值。方法:取7只SPF级裸鼠随机分为针刺组(4只)、对照组(3只)。使用Cy7修饰的转铁蛋白(Tf-Cy7)和阿霉素(Dox)于裸鼠的尾静脉注射,待其分布稳定后针刺组针刺"腰阳关"穴(GV3),对照组动物不针刺。小动物活体成像系统显示针刺组和对照组Tf-Cy7和Dox分布变化过程,观察针刺对Tf-Cy7和Dox分布的影响。结果:(1)针刺后,血脑屏障及心脏部位的信号开始减弱,Tf-Cy7开始趋向于脾脏和肝脏,针刺50min时达到最大变化,与对照组相比,产生明显的差异。(2)针刺20min,Dox开始趋向于脑和肺等脏器,针刺30min时达到最大变化。结论:针刺可以改变药物靶点的聚集,活体动物成像技术对针刺过程中Tf-Cy7和Dox体内重新分布的过程显像清晰,此项新技术将在针灸经络研究中具有确切的应用价值。

Objective As a new technique of biomedical imaging, the optical in vivo imaging has been used in many research fields of biological processes, such as analyzing gene expression pattern, observing action of drug target. For extending its application field, this technique is initially used to investigate the effect of acupuncture in this study. Methods Seven SPF mice were randomly divided into an acupuncture group （4 cases） and a control group （3 cases）. Fluorescent labeling Cy7 （Tf-Cy7） and Doxorubiein （Dox） were injected into the caudal vein of the nude mice, respectively. With the stabilized distribution of Tf-Cy7 and Dox in vivo, ＂Yaoyangguan＇（GV 3） point was acupunctured in the acupuncture group. The animals in the control group were not acupunctured. Then, the fluorescent irradiance of Tf-Cy7 and Dox was displayed by the optical in vivo imaging, the effect of acupuncture was ana- lyzed. Results （1） After acupuncture, the fluorescent intensity of Tf-Cy7 started to decrease in the blood-brain barrier and heart, but tended to increase in the liver and spleen, in which the highest intensity of Tf-Cy7 was demonstrated at 50 min during the acupuncture. It was obviously different from that of the control group. （2） The fluorescent intensity of Dox tended to increase in the brain and lung after 20 min of acupuncture, and reached the highest concentration at 30 rain. Conclusion Acupuncture can influence the action of Tf-Cy7 targeting and distribution of Dox, which is clearly showed with the optical in vivo imaging. Thus, this technique provides a new approach for the acupuncture and meridian research.