Objective

2

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and explore the protective mechanism of EA on gastric mucosa in CAG rats.

Methods

2

A total of 60 SPF male SD rats were randomized into a blank group

a model group

an EA group and a western medication group

with 15 rats in each one. Four-factor comprehensive modeling method was used to establish the CAG model

and finally 10 rats in each group were intervened. In the EA group

acupuncture was provided at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6)

"Zusanli" (ST36) and "Zhongwan" (CV12); and electric stimulation was attached on "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) unilaterally

with disperse-dense wave

the frequency of 10 Hz/50 Hz

and the current of 1 mA to 3 mA

depending on the slight trembling of the rat limbs. Each intervention with EA took 20 min. In the western medication group

the gavage was operated with vitacoenzyme tablet solution

350 mg/kg. The intervention was given once daily in the two groups and for 4 consecutive weeks. The general conditions of rats were observed before and after modeling

and after intervention completion. At the end of intervention

the morphology of gastric mucosa was observed using HE staining

the levels of serum pepsinogen (PG)Ⅰ

PGⅡ

gastrin-17 (GAS-17)

interleukin-1β (IL-1β)

IL-6 and tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA

and the ratio of PGⅠ/PGⅡ was calculated; the protein expression of PI3K

AKT

mTOR

Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) in the gastric tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry; and the mRNA expression of PI3K

AKT

mTOR

Beclin-1 and LC3B in the gastric tissue was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

Results

2

Compared with the blank group

the rats in the model group showed mental malaise

dry and dull hair and hair lose

lower appetite

loose stool and perianal uncleanliness. After intervention

the rats in the model group presented the abnormal structure of gastric mucosa

the disordered arrangement of glands

reduced numbers and atrophic glands

accompanied by the increase in inflammatory cell infiltration. In the model group

the levels of serum PGⅠ and GAS-17

the value of PGⅠ/PGⅡ

and the protein and mRNA expression of Beclin-1 and LC3B in the gastric tissue decreased (

P

<

0.01)

and the levels of serum PGⅡ

IL-1β

TNF-α

and IL-6

and the protein and mRNA expression of PI3K

AKT and mTOR increased (

P

<

0.01) compared with those in the blank group. When compared with the model group

in the EA group and the western medication group after intervention

the mental state

color and luster of hair

reaction sensitivity and stool were all improved obviously; the morphology of gastric mucosa was markedly improved

and the number of glands increased

the glands were arranged more neatly

and the atrophic conditions were attenuated to different degrees; and the inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly reduced. In the EA group and the western medication group

the levels of serum PGⅠ and GAS-17

the value of PGⅠ/ PGⅡ

and the protein and mRNA expression of Beclin-1 and LC3

B in the gastric tissue were elevated (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

and the levels of serum PGⅡ

IL-1β

TNF-α

and IL-6

and the protein and mRNA expression of PI3K

AKT and mTOR were reduced (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01) compared with those in the model group. There were no significant differences in the above indexes between the EA group and the western medication group (

P

>

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Electroacupuncture plays a protective effect on gastric mucosa of CAG rats probably by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

reducing the release of inflammatory factors and improving the level of autophagy.