Top

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2004 | Research

Electroacupuncture enhances extragonadal aromatization in ovariectomized rats

Authors: Hong Zhao, Zhanzhuang Tian, Lina Cheng, Boying Chen

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2004

Abstract

Background

Repeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is known to stimulate the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and to enhance the circulation level of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats. To explore the source of the increased circulation estrogen, the extragonadal aromatization was detected.

Methods

Female rats were divided into five groups: 1) intact (INT), 2) intact with EA in specific points (INT+EA), 3) ovariectomized (OVX), 4) ovariectomized with EA in specific points (OVX+EA) and 5) ovariectomized with EA in non-specific points (OVX+C). Radiometric assay, Western blot and RT-PCR were adopted to determine the extragonadal aromatization in subcutaneous abdominal (SA) adipose and liver tissues of rats. The blood concentrations of estrogen, testosterone and corticosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results

The aromatase activities of the SA adipose and liver tissues in the OVX+EA rats increased significantly (p < 0.01) compared with those in the INT, INT+EA and OVX rats. The 58-kDa aromatase protein and aromatase mRNA expressions normalized to β-actin in the OVX+EA rats' SA adipose tissues showed higher levels than those from corresponding tissues in the INT and INT+EA rats (p < 0.05). And the ratios of aromatase mRNA and protein to β-actin in the OVX+EA rats' liver tissues increased significantly compared with those in the OVX rats (p < 0.05). Furthermore, blood estrogen and corticosterone concentrations showed significant increase in the OVX+EA rats compared with the concentrations in the OVX and OVX+C rats (p < 0.05), but no statistical disparity occurred on the blood testosterone concentrations between the OVX+EA rats and the OVX ones.

Conclusion

Both the subcutaneous abdominal adipose and the liver tissues contributed to the effects of electroacupuncture on the extragonadal aromatization to promote the blood concentrations of estrogen in the ovariectomized rats.

Available only for authorised users

Clement JV, Mcloughlin L, Lowry PJ, Besser GM, Rees LH, Wen HL: Acupuncture in heroin addicts: changes in Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin in blood and cerebrospinal liquid. Lancet. 1979, 2 (8139): 380-383. 10.1016/S0140-6736(79)90401-X.

Kim EH, Kim YJ, Lee HJ, Huh Y, Chung JH, Seo JC, Kang JE, Lee HJ, Yim SV, Kim CJ: Acupuncture increases cell proliferation in dentate gyrus after transient global ischemia in gerbils. Neurosci Lett. 2001, 297: 21-24. 10.1016/S0304-3940(00)01656-6.CrossRefPubMed

Stener-Victorin E, Waldenstrom U, Tagnfors U, Lundeberg T, Lindsted TG, Janson PO: Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2000, 79: 180-188. 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2000.079003180.x.CrossRefPubMed

Zhao H, Tian ZZ, Chen BY: An important role of corticotropin-releasing hormone in electroacupuncture normalizing the subnormal function of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis in ovariectomized rats. Neurosci Lett. 2003, 349: 25-28. 10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00676-1.CrossRefPubMed

Chen BY: Acupuncture normalizes dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1997, 22: 97-108.CrossRefPubMed

Simpson ER: Sources of estrogen and their importance. J Ster Biochem Mol Biol. 2003, 86: 225-230. 10.1016/S0960-0760(03)00360-1.CrossRef

Zhao H, Tian ZZ, Chen BY: Increased corticortropin-releasing hormone release in ovariectomized rats' paraventricular nucleus: effects of electroacupuncture. Neurosci Lett. 2003, 253: 37-40. 10.1016/j.neulet.2003.09.008.CrossRef

Shi XM: Acupuncture therapeutics. 2001, People health publisher, Beijing, 367-435. 1

Gao H, Ji S, Chen B: [Electroacupuncture promotes enlargement of adrenals and enhances concentration of blood corticosterone in ovariectomized rats]. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1995, 20: 55-58. ChinesePubMed

10.

Sumitani H, Shozu M, Segawa T, Murakami K, Yang HJ, Shimada K, Inoue M: In situ estrogen synthesized by aromatase p450 in uterine leiomyoma cells promotes cell growth probably via an autocrine/intracrine mechanism. Endocrinology. 2000, 141: 3852-3861. 10.1210/en.141.10.3852.PubMed

11.

Roselli CE, Ellinwood WE, Resko JA: Regulation of brain aromatase activity in rats. Endocrinology. 1984, 114: 192-200.CrossRefPubMed

12.

Levallet J, Bilinska B, Mittre H, Genissel C, Fresnel J, Carreau S: Expression and immunolocalization of functional cytochrome P450 aromatase in mature rat testicular cells. Biol Reprod. 1998, 58: 919-926.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Vague J, Sardo J: Aromatization of androgens (author's transl). Sem Hop. 1981, 57: 1467-1476.PubMed

14.

Simpson ER, Mahendroo MS, Means GD, Kilgore MW, Hinshelwood MM, Graham_Lorence S, Amarneh B, Ito Y, Fisher CR, Michael MD: Aromatase cytochrome P450, the enzyme responsible for estrogen biosynthesis. Endocrin Rev. 1994, 15: 342-355. 10.1210/er.15.3.342.

15.

MacDonald PC, Edman CD, Hemsell DL, Porter JC, Siiteri PK: Effect of obesity on conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in postmenopausal women with and without endometrial cancer. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1978, 130: 448-455.PubMed

16.

Bray GA: The underlying basis for obesity: relationship to cancer. J Nutr. 2002, 132 (11 Suppl): 3451S-3455S.PubMed

17.

Frost PG, Reed MJ, James VH: The aromatization of androstenedione by human adipose and liver tissue. J Steroid Biochem. 1980, 13: 1427-1431. 10.1016/0022-4731(80)90055-2.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Grodin JM, Siiteri PK, MacDonald PC: Source of estrogen production in post-menopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1973, 36: 207-214.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Davidge ST, Zhang Y, Stewart KG: A comparison of ovariectomy models for estrogen studies. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001, 280: R904-R907.PubMed

20.

Negri-Cesi P, Colciago A, Motta M, Martini L, Celotti F: Aromatase expression and activity in male and female cultured rat hypothalamic neurons: effect of androgens. Mol Cel Endocrin. 2001, 178: 1-10. 10.1016/S0303-7207(01)00442-7.CrossRef

21.

Beyer C, Hutchison JB: Androgens stimulate the morphological maturation of embryonic hypothalamic aromatase-immunoreactive neurons in the mouse. Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 1997, 98: 74-81. 10.1016/S0165-3806(96)00170-8.CrossRefPubMed

22.

Longcope C, Billiar RB, Takaoka Y, Reddy PS, Richardson D, Little B: Tissue sites of aromatization in the female rhesus monkey. Endocrinology. 1983, 113: 1679-1682.CrossRefPubMed

23.

Harada N, Ota H, Yoshimura N, Katsuyama T, Takagi Y: Localized aberrant expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase in primary and metastatic malignant tumors of human liver. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998, 83: 697-702. 10.1210/jc.83.2.697.PubMed

24.

Yoshiji S, Yamamoto T, Okada H: Aromatization of androstenedione and 19-nortestosterone in human placenta, liver and adipose tissues. Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi. 1986, 62: 18-25. (in Japanese)PubMed

25.

Schmidt M, Renner C, Loffler G: Progesterone inhibits glucocorticoid-dependent aromatase induction in human adipose fibroblasts. J Endocrinol. 1998, 158: 401-407.CrossRefPubMed

26.

Evans CT, Corbin CJ, Saunders CT, Merrill JC, Simpson ER, Mendelson CR: Regulation of estrogen biosynthesis in human adipose stromal cells. Effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, epidermal growth factor, and phorbol esters on the synthesis of aromatase cytochrome P-450. J Biol Chem. 1987, 262: 6914-6920.PubMed

27.

Martel C, Melner MH, Gagné D, Simard J, Labrie F: Widespread tissue distribution of steroid sulfatase, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD), 17 beta-HSD 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase activities in the rhesus monkey. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1994, 104: 103-111. 10.1016/0303-7207(94)90056-6.CrossRefPubMed

28.

Simpson ER: Role of aromatase in sex steroid action. J Mol Endocrinol. 2000, 25: 149-156.CrossRefPubMed

29.

Meikle AW, Daynes RA, Araneo BA: Adrenal androgen secretion and biologic effects. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1991, 20: 381-400.PubMed

30.

De Capoa A, Baldini A, Marlekaj P, Natoli C, Rocchi M, Archidiacono N, Cianfarani S, Spadoni GL, Boscherini B: Hormone-modulated rRNA activity is visualized by selective staining of the NORs. Cell Biol Int Rep. 1985, 9: 791-796.CrossRefPubMed

31.

McTernan PG, Anderson LA, Anwar AJ, Eggo MC, Crocker J, Barnett AH, Stewart PM, Kumar S: Glucocorticoid regulation of P450 aromatase activity in human adipose tissue: gender and site differences. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002, 87: 1327-1336. 10.1210/jc.87.3.1327.CrossRefPubMed

32.

Chen A: An introduction to sequential electric acupuncture (SEA) in the treatment of stress related physical and mental disorders. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1992, 17: 273-283.PubMed

33.

Dong JT: Research on the reduction of anxiety and depression with acupuncture. Am J Acupunct. 1993, 21: 327-330.

34.

Chang R, Chung PH, Rosenwaks Z: Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility. Fertil Steril. 2002, 78: 1149-1153. 10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04348-0.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Electroacupuncture enhances extragonadal aromatization in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Hong Zhao
Zhanzhuang Tian
Lina Cheng
Boying Chen
Publication date: 01-12-2004
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-2-18

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Electroacupuncture enhances extragonadal aromatization in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2004

The role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) during ovarian follicular development in sheep

The student and the ovum: The lack of autonomy and informed consent in trading genes for tuition

Antimicrobial actions of the human epididymis 2 (HE2) protein isoforms, HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2

Association of sperm protein 17 with A-kinase anchoring protein 3 in flagella

Glucose-stimulated insulin response in pregnant sheep following acute suppression of plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations

Melatonin blocks inhibitory effects of prolactin on photoperiodic induction of gain in body mass, testicular growth and feather regeneration in the migratory male redheaded bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)