Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on skin aging of senile rats and discuss the mechanism of acupuncture in treating skin aging. Methods: The 18-month-old senile Wistar rats were randomly divided into t...Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on skin aging of senile rats and discuss the mechanism of acupuncture in treating skin aging. Methods: The 18-month-old senile Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, a blank group, a surrounding needling group, a surrounding needling plus Zusanli (ST 36) group, comparing with the 8-month-old young rats. The tests included the content of dissoluble hydroxyproline (Hyp) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the skin of rats' abdomen. The transmission electron microscope was used for the morphological observation of the fibroblasts and the arrangement of the collagen fiber. Results: The dermal organelles in the fibroblasts of the rats decreased with the cellular structures. Meanwhile, the spaces among the collagen fibers extended and the aging bridging increased. The surrounding needling improved the activity of the fibroblasts. The dissoluble Hyp content in the surrounding needling group was much higher than the rats in the blank group, but the SOD activity didn't change significantly. However, the surrounding needling plus Zusanli (ST 36) enhanced the SOD activity. Conclusion: Acupuncture may improve the activity of the fibroblasts in the skin to increase the dissoluble collagen content, resulting in the improvement of an aged appearance. Surrounding needling plus needling Zusanli (ST 36) could enhance the SOD activity.展开更多
文摘Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on skin aging of senile rats and discuss the mechanism of acupuncture in treating skin aging. Methods: The 18-month-old senile Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, a blank group, a surrounding needling group, a surrounding needling plus Zusanli (ST 36) group, comparing with the 8-month-old young rats. The tests included the content of dissoluble hydroxyproline (Hyp) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the skin of rats' abdomen. The transmission electron microscope was used for the morphological observation of the fibroblasts and the arrangement of the collagen fiber. Results: The dermal organelles in the fibroblasts of the rats decreased with the cellular structures. Meanwhile, the spaces among the collagen fibers extended and the aging bridging increased. The surrounding needling improved the activity of the fibroblasts. The dissoluble Hyp content in the surrounding needling group was much higher than the rats in the blank group, but the SOD activity didn't change significantly. However, the surrounding needling plus Zusanli (ST 36) enhanced the SOD activity. Conclusion: Acupuncture may improve the activity of the fibroblasts in the skin to increase the dissoluble collagen content, resulting in the improvement of an aged appearance. Surrounding needling plus needling Zusanli (ST 36) could enhance the SOD activity.