Effect of Preventive Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Hypothalamus and Ovarian Leptin and Blood Lipid Levels in Menopausal Rats

Objective:To observe the changes of hypothalamus, ovarian leptin levels and blood lipid in 12-month-old rats with natural menopause, and the effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4). To explore the impact of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on the internal environment of early menopause disorder. Methods:Menopausal female rats were screened by vaginal smear. Rat model of menopause was obtained by natural aging method. Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) was used as intervention methods. Hypothalamus and ovarian leptin levels were detected by radioimmunoassay. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were determined by biochemical methods. Results:Compared with the young control group, leptin levels in the hypothalamus and ovarian increased (P<0.01), plasma TC increased (P<0.05), LDL increased (P<0.01), and HDL reduced in 12-month-old rats. Hypothalamus and ovary leptin levels in 12-month-old rats with preventive acupuncture and moxibustion were significantly decreased (P<0.01); plasma TC and LDL levels decreased and HDL levels were increased in rats with preventive acupuncture (P<0.05). Conclusion:Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion can improve leptin resistance state and restore the abnormal lipid levels in menopausal body, and therefore can slow down the disorder of inner environment in early menopause.