Changes of Immunoreactive β-Endorphin in Plasma, Pituitary and Hypothalamus of Rats during Oxygen-Induced Convulsions

We observed for the first time the differences of immunoreactive β-endorphin(IR -β- EP) content in plasma, pituitary and hypothalamus of rats under various conditionsusing radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the effects of naloxone and β - endorphin (β- EP) antiserumon initial time of convulsions (ITC), severity of convulsions(SOC) and mortality on surface(MOS) of rats to hyperbaric oxygen(HBO). The results suggest thatβ- EP may partici-pate in the course of oxygen - induced convulsions and be one of endogenous convulsion - causingagents.

Effects of plasma β-endorphin on hemorrhagic shock in acute hypoxic rats

Forty rots were randomized into 2 groups and naloxone or saline were injected to therats after they were inflicted with hemorrhagic shock at sea level and at a simulated altitude of4000m respectively to observe the effects of naloxone on left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),left ventricular diastolic pressure(LVDP),the maximal changing rate of LVSP(dp/dt max),heartrate(HR),and survival time of the animals.Plasma β-endorphin(β-EP)was determined beforeand after hemorrhage to observe the relationship between β-EP and hemorrhagic shock.It wasfound that the circulatory parameters of hemorrhagic shock changed more markedly at high alti-tude than at sea level,naloxone could restore these parameters and prolong the survival time inboth the animals of the sea level and high altitude groups,and plasma β-EP level was elevatedafter hemorrhage especially in those animals at high altitude.These findings indicate:(1)Hemorrhagic shock at high altitude is usually accompanied with severe clinical manifestations,rapid progression,and high mortality.(2)β-EP seems to participate in the pathologicalmanifestafions of hemorrhagic shock at high altitude,and its depressive action on myocardialcontraction may be one of the factors inducing hemorrhagic shock.(3)Naloxone possesses defi-nite property to comet hemorrhagic shock at high altitude.

Changes in beta-endorphin neuron numbers and serum hormone levels in the arcuate nucleus of ovariectomized rats undergoing treadmill exercise

BACKGROUND： The arcuate nucleus, when damaged in young rats, can lead to pathological changes in adults, such as osteoporosis. Ovariectomized rats suffer from osteoporosis at eight weeks following surgery and the number of β -endorphin immunoreactive neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus is significantly decreased. OBJECTIVE： To establish a rat model of osteoporosis using ovariectomy and to explore changes in the number of β-endorphin neurons and to correlate any such change with serum hormone levels in response to exercise or rest. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The completely randomized block design, neural morphology study was performed at the Key Laboratory of Physiology, Guangdong Medical College, China between March 2004 and January 2005. MATERIALS： Sixteen healthy female rats were selected for ovariectomy. METHODS： Following model establishment, rats were assigned to either rest or exercise groups and each rat was housed individually. Rats in the exercise group underwent an exercise regimen using a treadmill. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Eight weeks following exercise, radioimmunoassay was performed to detect serum growth hormone, estrogen and osteocalcin levels. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure changes in the number of β -endorphin neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Changes in bone metabolism were assessed using bone histomorphometry. RESULTS： In the exercise group, the β -endorphin immunoreactive neurons were high in number, darkly stained, and the nucleus was not obvious. In the rest group, the β -endorphin immunoreactive neurons were low in number and lightly stained. The number of β-endorphin immunoreactive neurons in the exercise group was higher compared with the rest group （t = 2.83, P 〈 0.05）. Estrogen levels were similar between the rest and exercise groups （P 〉 0.05）. Serum osteocalcin and growth hormone levels were significantly higher in the exercise group compared with the rest group （t = 2.78, 2.32, P 〈 0.05）. Compared with the rest group, the percentage of trabecular bone area, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number were significantly increased, but trabecular separation was significantly reduced （t=2.48, 2.57, 2.32, 3.06, P 〈 0.05） in the exercise group. In the exercise group, the trabeculae of the tibia were arranged regularly and were high in number. In the rest group, the trabeculae of the tibia were organized in a disorderly manner and were low in number, with many fat particles. CONCLUSION： Exercise promotes bone growth and delays osteoporosis by inducing an increase in the number of β-endorphin immunoreactive neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and by increasing serum growth hormone and osteocalcin levels.

EFFECTS OF β-ENDORPHIN ON PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ-INDUCED LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION AND MOUSE PLAQUE-FORMING CELL RESPONSE VIA AN OPIOID RECEPTOR MECHANISM

The effects of opioid peptides on iminune responses were investigated. It was found that β-endorphin (β-END) can depress proliferative responses to PHA in rat splenocytes but enhance those in mice, and it could also inhibit the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to sheep red blood cells when mouse splenocytes immunized in vivo were cultured in vitro with the peptide. The peptide antagonist naloxone was able to reverse β-END suppression of the PFC response. The data indicate that β-END suppresses antibody production or secretion via a specific opioidreceptor-mediated mechanism.

Effects of Peripherally Acting Opioid Ligands on Central Opioid Receptors and <i>β</i>-Endorphin Release in Stressed Rats

Using the radioreceptor binding assay, μ-opioid receptor (MOR) affinity in the midbrain of stressed rats was higher than in naive controls. MOR density in the rat frontal cortex was reduced after stress. Intragastric administration of the MOR antagonist naloxone methiodide was followed by an increase in the number of MORs in the frontal cortex. However, the MOR agonist loperamide significantly decreased the density of MORs in the frontal cortex and midbrain of naive animals. Loperamide and naloxone methiodide were shown to prevent an increase in MOR affinity and a decrease in MOR density in the midbrain of rats after restraint stress. The restraint stress was accompanied by an increase in the release of β-endorphin (BE) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of control rats. After administration, loperamide slightly decreased the release of BE, naloxone methiodide significantly increased the release of BE in the cingulate cortex (CC) of untreated animals, while drugs had no effect on the release of BE in the VTA. The drugs significantly increased the extracellular level of BE in the CC of stressed animals. Loperamide abolished the increase in the stress-induced release of BE in the VTA. By contrast, naloxone methiodide significantly increased the release of BE in the VTA of stressed rats. Our data indicated that activation of peripheral MORs induces depression of the central part of the μ-opioid system, but suppression of peripheral MOR activity induces activation of the central μ-opioid system, the interaction of which can be modulated by stress.

Plasma β-Endorphin Levels in Women with Early Threatened Abortion before and after the Treatment of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine

To observe plasm a β-endorphin (β-EP) and gonadotrophin releasing horm one (GnRH), hum an chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), progesterone (P4) levelsin w om en w ith early threatened abortion and w ith a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). Tw enty patientsw ith threatened abortion at7～8 w eeksof gestation w ere re- cruited, allof them had a history of 3 or m ore recurrentunexplained abortions. They w ere treated w ith psychologicalconsultation accompanied by traditionalChinese herbs. Blood samples w ere taken to m easure β-EP, GnRH, hCG and P4 levels by radioim - m unoassay (RIA). The treatm ents w ere continued till10～12 w eeks, blood w astaken during this period to compare changes in these peptides / horm ones. Tw enty norm al pregnantw om en at7～8 and 10～12 w eeksand 20 patientsw ith incompleteabortion at 10～12 w eeksw ererecruited for comparativestudies. Results: (1) In norm alpregnant w om en, plasm a β-EP, GnRH, hCGand P4 levelsat10～12 w eeksw ere significantly higher than thatat7～8 w eeks (P< 0.01). (2) In patients w ith threatened abortion and a history of RSA, plasm a β-EP levels at7～8 w eeks w ere significantly higher than those of norm al pregnantw om en (P< 0.01); on the contrary, plasm a GnRH, hCGand P4 levelsin these patientsw ere significantly low er than thosein norm alcases (P< 0.01). After treatm ent, 16 of the 20 patients succeeded in m aintaining their pregnancies, the levels of the four plasm a contents at10～12 w eeks w ere sim ilar to thosein norm alpregnantw om en (P> 0.05). (3) Plasm a β-EPlevelsin patientsw ith incomplete abortionsat10～12 w eeksw ere dram atically higher and GnRH, hCGand P4 levelsw ere low er than in norm alpregnantw om en (P< 0.01). β-EP m ightplay a role in the pathophysiology of spontaneousabortion.

The effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on plasma β-endorphin in human brain

The effect of electromagnetic field on plasma β endorphin in 30 patients with migraine were studied in the experiment. All subjects received a 20 minute repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (Frequency 10Hz, Average intensity 8mT) per time, and the total experiment lasted 20 times. Before and after the experiment, the EEG and plasma β endorphin were tested. The results show that the level of plasma β endorphin in patients blood increased significantly from (73.486±26.002)mg/ml to (116.934±67.592)mg/ml (p<0.01), and the EEG average magnitude of the migraine patients were improved obviously from 41.77μV to 47.42μV.

Effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture analgesia in controlling intraoperative pain and hemodynamics during total thyroidectomy:A randomized controlled trial

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in conjunction with additional medications in providing analgesia and stabilizing hemodynamic parameters during total thyroidectomy.Methods:This randomized controlled trial included 100 patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy between October 2022 and October 2023 at the Vietnam National Hospital of Acupuncture.The patients were randomized into two groups.The electroacupuncture analgesia(EA)group received EA stimulation at five acupuncture points:Hegu(LI 4),Neiguan(PC 6),Shuitu(ST 10),Quepen(ST 12),and Yifeng(SJ 17),while the control group received a bilateral superficial cervical plexus block.Primary outcomes included the level of analgesia and perioperative vital signs in both groups.Additionally,pain thresholds and serum b-endorphin levels were measured before and after electroacupuncture in the EA group.Results:Complete analgesia(Level A)was attained in 86%and 76%of the patients in the EA and control groups,respectively,with no significant difference between the two groups(P=1.00).In the EA group,the mean pain threshold after receiving EA doubled(648.7(77.4)g/s vs.305.3(45.3)g/s,P<.001),and the mean serum b-endorphin level increased by approximately 13.5 pg/mL(P<.001).All patients remained hemodynamically stable throughout the surgery.Conclusion:EA,in conjunction with additional medications that stimulate five acupuncture points,LI 4,PC 6,ST 10,ST 12,and SJ 17,was well tolerated and effectively maintained a suitable level of analgesia and hemodynamic stability during total thyroidectomy.

中药宝宝乐对幼龄厌食大鼠脑肠肽的调节作用

目的研究运脾平肝复方宝宝乐口服液对小儿厌食症动物模型胃泌素、β-内啡肽(-βEP)及胆囊收缩素(CCK)的调节作用。方法病因模拟法制作幼龄厌食大鼠模型,用宝宝乐治疗,放射免疫检测技术测定下丘脑、胃窦部及外周血胃泌素、-βEP和CCK的含量,与单纯运脾复方儿宝颗粒对照。结果模型组胃窦部胃泌素减少(P<0.05)、血清水平无明显变化;胃窦部及血浆中-βEP下降(P<0.01,P<0.05),下丘脑无明显变化;下丘脑和血浆CCK-8均增高(P<0.01);治疗组胃窦部胃泌素含量、胃窦部及血浆-βEP、下丘脑和血浆CCK-8均恢复正常,宝宝乐组下丘脑CCK-8回降较儿宝组明显(P<0.05)。结论宝宝乐能调节该模型中枢及外周胃泌素、-βEP和CCK的分泌与释放。

四生汤抗放射反应作用机制的实验研究

在临床研究中,已经发现四生汤具有抗放疗毒副反应,提高机体免疫功能的作用,为了进一步探索该方的作用机理.我们以60Co 照射大鼠为实验对象,较系统地观察了四生汤对模型动物神经内分泌免疫网络内各不同层次,不同环节的影响及对照射大鼠下丘脑β-内啡肽含量的影响。

Study on Therapeutic Mechanism of Neiyifang (内异方) in Treating Endometriosis

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Neiyifang (内异方,NYF) in treating endometri-osis and to explore its therapeutic mechanism through observing its influence on plasma β-endorphin β-EP) in different menstrual stages and levels of prostaglandins (PGs) in menstruation. Methods: NYF was administered to 104 patients with endometriosis one dose daily with 3 successive menstrual cycles as one therapeutic course. Peripheral blood β-EP level in follicular, luteal and menstrual stages, as well as PGF2a, PGE2, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PGF1a levels in menstrual stage were detected by RIA, and controlled with those in 15 healthy persons. Results: (1) The total effective rate of NYF was 81. 3% and it showed significant effect in improving patients' clinical symptoms and physical signs; (2) In menstrual stage, the levels of β-EP, 6-keto-PGF1α/ TXB2 were lower(P<0.05) and levels of PGF2a, PGE2, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α, were higher (P<0. 05) in patients than those in control, and the higher the level of PGE2, the severer the menalgia, (3) NYF could increase levels of β-EP, 6-keto-PGF1α, and reduce levels of PGF2α, PGE2 in menstrual stage of patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion: (1) NYF has good clinical effect in treating endometriosis, (2) Patients' symptom of menalgia is closely related with the excessive high levels of PGF2a and PGE2 PGI2/TXA2 ratio disturbance, and excessive low level of β-EP; (3) NYF could significantly decrease the PGE2, PGF1a levels, increase the 6-keto-PGF1a/TXB2 ratio and the level of β-EP, so as to alleviate the menalgia in patients with endometriosis.

Study on the Analgesic Effect and Mechanism of Zhitong Capsule (止痛胶囊) in Adjuvant Arthritis Rats

Objective: To observe the analgesic effect of Zhitong Capsule (止痛胶囊, ZTC) and study its mechanism in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups with 8 rats in each group. On the first day, except to those in the normal group that were treated with normal saline, the same amount of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) was given through intradermal injection into the right hind paw to all the rats in the other groups. From the 17th day of the modeling on, the rats in groups of ZTC were administered daily through gastrogavage with a dose of 1000, 500, 250 mg/kg respectively, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the normal group and model group, and an equal volume of aspirin (ASA) solution was given to rats in the ASA group through gastrogavage for 10 days, once per day, and on the 27th day, the analgesic effect of ZTC was measured with heat withdraw method. The activities and contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxides (LPO) in serum were observed by spectrophotometry, and the level of beta-endorphin (β-EP) in hypothalamus were determined by the assay of immunohistochemistry. Results: ZTC showed significant effects on enhancing the pain threshold and at the same time it increased the activities of SOD and reduced the contents of LPO in serum. ZTC could also increase the level of β-EP in hypothalamus. Conclusion: ZTC has analgesic effect and its mechanism is probably related with its effect in inhibiting the level of oxygen free radicals in serum and increasing the level of β-EP of hypothalamus in rats.KEY WORD Zhitong Capsule, adjuvant arthritis, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxides, β-endorphin

Optimal compatible doses and effects of ephedrine and naloxone on neural plasticity in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats

BACKGROUND： Ephedrine promotes neural plasticity in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ephedrine has been combined with naloxone in some studies, and it has been confirmed that their combination has synergistic effects on increasing neural plasticity following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of ephedrine combined with various doses of naloxone on neural plasticity and to find an optimal dose of naloxone in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by analyzing growth associated protein-43 （GAP-43）, synaptophysin and β-endorphin expression in the hippocampal CA3 area. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This immunohistochemical, randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Chongqing Research Institute of Pediatrics, China from September 2007 to June 2008. MATERIALS： Ephedrine hydrochloride injection and naloxone hydrochloride injection were respectively purchased from Shandong Lvliang Pharmaceutical Factory, China and Sichuan Jingwei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China. A total of 192 healthy adult Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish models of left middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture occlusion method. METHODS： At 2 hours following cerebral ischemia, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with 1.5 mg/kg/d ephedrine （ephedrine group）, with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg/kg/d naloxone （low, moderate and high doses of naloxone groups）, with 1.5 mg/kg/d ephedrine ＋ 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mg/kg/d naloxone （ephedrine ＋ low, moderate and high doses of naloxone groups）, and with 0.5 mL saline （model group）, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： GAP-43, synaptophysin and β -endorphin expression were detected in the hippocampal CA3 area using immunohistochemistry 1-4 weeks after surgery. Sensorimotor integration in rats was assessed using the beam walking test. RESULTS： GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression was greater in the ephedrine group, and in the ephedrine ＋ moderate and high doses of naloxone groups compared with the model group. GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression was greatest in the ephedrine ＋ high dose of naloxone group at 2 and 3 weeks alter surgery. β -endorphin expression was significantly lower in the ephedrine group, and in the ephedrine ＋ moderate and high doses of naloxone groups compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05）. β -endorphin expression was persistently low in the ephedrine ＋ high dose of naloxone group. At 1-3 weeks after surgery, the beam walking test score was significantly higher in the ephedrine group and ephedrine ＋ various doses of naloxone groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. The score was higher in the ephedrine ＋ moderate and high doses of naloxone groups than in the ephedrine group （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the score was increased as the dose of naloxone increased in the ephedrine ＋ various doses of naloxone groups. CONCLUSION： Ephedrine promotes GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression, inhibits /3 -endorphin expression in the hippocampal CA3 area, and improves motor function in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Naloxone does not have the above-mentioned effects. During combined treatment with ephedrine and naloxone, however, the above-described effects are enhanced with an increased dose of naloxone. The combination of ephedrine （1.5 mg/kg/d） and naloxone （0.3 mg/kg/d） can produce optimal therapeutic efficacy in treatment of cerebral ischemic injury.

Synchrony between Ovarian Function &Sleep in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex, multifaceted, heterogeneous disorder, affecting 4% to 18% of reproductive-aged women and is associated with reproductive, metabolic and psychological dysfunction. In this study we determined the relationship between the time to sleep and serum levels of neurohormones in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Totally 77 PCO patients(case group) and 97 non-PCOS infertile women (control subjects) participated in this study between February 2012 and February 2013. A PSQI sleep questionnaire was completed by each patient in both groups. PSQI sleep questionnaire score and serum concentration of adrenaline, noradrenaline, melatonin, β-endorphin, cortisol and progesterone were compared in two groups. The results of the study indicate that serum levels of melatonin and β-endorphin were lower in women with PCOS. Serum level of stress hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline were significantly correlated with patients’ sleep time in study group. Serum level of adrenaline in control group was significantly lower in women who wake up earlier in the morning. All hormones except for cortisol had no significant correlation with PSQI global score in both groups and also the people who sleep less than 8 hours had lower cortisol level. These data showed that changes in cortisol in PCO women were due to damage of disturbed sleep at night. Our preliminary work provided this study with new insight into the interactions between sleep-wake cycles in PCO women with specific sleep patterns.

Effects of electroacupuncture on pain sensation in a rat model of hyperalgesia with nicotine dependence

Tobacco smoking is considered to be one of the main risk factors in the development of chronic pain.Long-term chronic exposure to nicotine and other forms of tobacco have been shown to be associated with an increased incidence of pain.Studies have shown that acupuncture can help smokers to reduce their desire to smoke,reduce their withdrawal symptoms,and avoid a relapse after treatment.However,little has been reported about the effects of acupuncture on pain sensitivity caused by long-term smoking.Models of hyperalgesia were established in rats exposed to nicotine for 6 weeks.After 6 weeks of continuous nicotine exposure,electroacupuncture at bilateral acupoints Zusanli(ST36)and Taichong(LR3)was performed 20 minutes per day for 6 days at a continuous wave with a frequency of 2 Hz and a stimulus intensity of 1 m A.The results revealed that electroacupuncture treatment increased the mechanical response threshold of hind paw of nicotine-dependent rats with hyperalgesia and up-regulated the protein expression of pain-related factorsμ-opioid receptor,β-endorphin and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray and the protein expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in the spinal cord.These findings suggest that electroacupuncture treatment has positive analgesic effects on pain sensitivity caused by long-term chronic nicotine exposure.One possible mechanism for the improved analgesia is that electroacupuncture increases the expression of painrelated factors in the spinal cord and midbrain periaqueductal gray.This study was approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(IACUC)of the University of Miami(#18-167)on December 12,2018.

Effect of Tuina-SET Sling Exercise Therapy on Analgesic Substances in Serum of Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

[Objectives]This paper aimed to investigate the effect of Tuina combined with sling exercise therapy(SET)and psoas&abdominal training on serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)andβ-endorphin(β-EP)levels in patients with nonspecific low back pain(NLBP).[Methods]Total 46 patients with NLBP who visited the Tuina Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from August 2019 to May 2020 were randomly and evenly divided into control group and treatment group.On the basis of Tuina therapy,the patients in the control group and treatment group were treated with psoas&abdominal training and SET,respectively.After the treatment,the serum 5-HT andβ-EP levels of the patients were detected.[Results]The serum 5-HT andβ-EP levels in the treatment group were significantly improved compared with the control group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The nerve&muscle reconstruction techniques of Tuina combined with SET or psoas&abdominal training can improve serum 5-HT andβ-EP levels in patients with NLBP.

EFFECTS OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON THE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM IN HYPOTHYROID AND HYPOADRENOCORTIC RATS

Effects of EA on contents of hypothalamic and pituitary β-EP, plasma cAMP and cGMP, serum T3, T4, TSH, cortisol and testosterone were observed in hypothyroid and hypoadreno cortic rats. Results indicate that EA has regulative action on secretion of the thyroid, adrenal cortex, sexual gland in the hypothyroid and hypoadrenocortic rats; The regulative action is related to levels of the hormones in the body. After EA, contents of hypothalamic and pituitary β-EP, and plasma cyclic nucleotides are changed with the change of the hormones, so hypothalamic and pituitary β-EP, and cyclic neucleotides may be involved in the regulation of EA on the endocrine system in hypothyroid and hypoadrenocortic rats.

EFFECTS OF ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE(EA) ON CONTENTS OF ENDOGENOUS OPIOID PEPTIDES(EOPS) IN THE AGED RAT BRAIN AND PITUITARY

The present is aimed at the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on endogenous opioidpeptides’ (EPOs) contents in the aged rat brain and pituitary in order to further expound the anti-ag-ing mechanism of acupuncture. The results show that the 5-endorphin (5-EP) contents in the aged rathypothalamus and pituitary are significantly higher than those in the young rats and lower in hippocampus, and leuenkephalin (LEK) levels are also higher in the aged rat hippocampus and striatumthan those in the young rats. In the aged rats that received the EA stimulations, the β-EP contents inthe hypothalamus, pituitary, and the LEK level in the striatum are decreased sigrijficantly and the β-EP contents is increased in the hippocampus, The results suggest that the aging delaying effects ofacupuncture may be reached partly through modifying the age-related changes of EOPs’ secretion inthe rat brain and pituitary.

Study on Correlation between Neuropeptide and Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

ve To explore the correlation between neuropeptide and functional hypothalam-ic amenorrhea(FHA)

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MOXIBUSTION AT SHENQUE(RN 8)ON GASTRIC MUCOSA

Male S.D rats weighing 200g were used(as experimental animals).Moxibus-tion at Shenque(RN 8)was performed for 15 minutes each day.The course lasted for weeks.In ratsundergoing oral infusion of taurocholate,index of gastric mucosal injury were 9.0±6.1 and 4.6±2.5 in two and four week groups respectively.Compared with control group(index:16.8±7.6),Pwas less than 0.05 and 0.01.This indicated that moxibustion had protective effect on gastric mucosalinjury.Time-effect relationship also existed.In experiment of analysis about mechanism of moxibustion,we found that moxibustion.1.stim-ulated the secretion of gastric mucus(P【0.001);2.increased the PGE 2 content in gastric mucosa(P【0.05);3.increased the number of β-endorphin-like immunoactive cells in gastric mucosa(P【0.05);4.enhanced the transformation of lymphocytes(P【0.01);5.reinforced the function of an-tibody-producing cells in the spleen.The results suggested that protective effect of moxibustion might result from the increase in mu-cus,the PGE 2 and the endogenous β-endorphin.It might also be related to the reinforcing effect ofmoxibustion on transformation of lymphocytes and antibody-producing function of spleen cells.