The effects of electroacupuncture at “Zulanli(ST36)” on the energy metabolism of myocardial tissue in rats with spleen Qi deficiency were observed, and the intervention mechanism was investigated. Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, acupuncture group and non-meridian and non-acupuncture group. The rat model of spleen Qi deficiency was established by the composite factor of “excessive labour and dietary disorders”, the blank control group was raised normally without intervention, the acupuncture group was given electroacupuncture intervention at bilateral “Zulanli(ST36)”, and the non-meridian non-acupuncture group was given non-meridian non-acupuncture acupoints to perform the electroacupuncture control, once a day for 14 d. The general state, body mass and grip strength of the rats were observed at the end of the intervention. The content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in myocardial tissue was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression levels of glucose transportor(GLUT4)and glucose transportor(GLUT1)in myocardial tissues were detected by immunofluorescence(IF)method. The expression levels of insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS1), phosphoinosmode-3-kinase(PI3K), protein kinase B(AKT)and GLUT4 were detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC)method and quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR(RT-qPCR). Western blot(WB)method was used to detect the protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT and GLUT4 in myocardial tissues. The results showed that compared with those in the blank control group, the rats in the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group were in poorer general condition, in the same trend as the decrease in body weight and grip strength. The ATP production in myocardial tissue was significantly reduced(P < 0.05), and the protein expression levels and mRNA levels of IRS1, PI3K, AKT, GLUT4 and GLUT1 significantly decreased(P < 0.05). The rats in the acupuncture group had good general condition, body mass and grip strength, and significantly decreased ATP production in myocardial tissues(P < 0.05), compared with those in the model group. Compared with those in the model group, the rats in the acupuncture group were in good condition, body mass and grip strength increased, ATP production in myocardial tissues increased significantly(P < 0.05), and protein expression levels and mRNA levels of IRS1, PI3K, AKT, GLUT4 and GLUT1 increased significantly(P < 0.05). The mechanism by which electroacupuncture at “Zulanli(ST36)” improved the cardiac energy metabolism in rats with spleen Qi deficiency may be related to the activation of PI3K/AKT/GLUT4 signalling pathway and the enhancement of glucose transport function in myocardial tissues.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |