Xiao-Hong Zhang1, Tie-Ming Ma2, Cai-Rong Ming3, Lie Wang2, Yi-Ran Chen1, Si-Teng Pan1, Chong-Yun Zhao1. 1. Graduate School, Liaoning University of TCM, Shenyang 110032, China. 2. School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Liaoning University of TCM, Shenyang 110032, China. 3. School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Liaoning University of TCM, Shenyang 110032, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on the expressions of tyrosine kinase Lyn and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in mast cells of subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the rats with urticaria and explore the potential biological mechanism of EA in the intervention of urticaria. METHODS: A total of 32 SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and a positive medication group, 8 rats in each one. Except of the blank group, the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was adopted to prepare the model of urticaria in the rats of the rest three groups. In the EA group, EA was applied to bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz in frequency and 1 mA in current intensity, once daily, for 20 min each time, consecutively for 7 days. In the positive medication group, loratadine (1 mg•kg-1•d-1) was for intragastric administration, once daily, consecutively for 7 days. The samples were collected for index detection 30 min after PCA antigen challenge in the rats of each group. Spectrophotometer was adopted to determine the effusion quantity of Evans blue in the allergized site of skin. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the allergized site of skin. Toluidine blue staining was provided to observe mast cell degranulation in subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the allergized site of skin. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the protein expressions of Lyn and Syk during degranulation of mast cells. RESULTS: In the rats of the odel group, the eipdermis of allergized site was thickening, cells were disorganized in hierarchy and inflammatory cells were infiltrated largely in the dermis. In the positive medication group and the EA group, the epidermis was getting thin, cell arrangement was clear and the inflammatory cell infiltration was obviously alleviated as compared with the model group. Compared with the blank group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all reduced in the EA group and the positive medication group (P<0.01). Compared with the positive medication group, the degranulation rate of mast cells was increased significantly in the EA group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) reduces vascular permeability and gives play to the role of anti-allergy by the way of regulating and controlling the degranulation of mast cells in the rats with urticaria and the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture may be related to the inhibition of protein expressions of Lyn and Syk in mast cells.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on the expressions of tyrosine kinase Lyn and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in mast cells of subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the rats with urticaria and explore the potential biological mechanism of EA in the intervention of urticaria. METHODS: A total of 32 SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and a positive medication group, 8 rats in each one. Except of the blank group, the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was adopted to prepare the model of urticaria in the rats of the rest three groups. In the EA group, EA was applied to bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz in frequency and 1 mA in current intensity, once daily, for 20 min each time, consecutively for 7 days. In the positive medication group, loratadine (1 mg•kg-1•d-1) was for intragastric administration, once daily, consecutively for 7 days. The samples were collected for index detection 30 min after PCA antigen challenge in the rats of each group. Spectrophotometer was adopted to determine the effusion quantity of Evans blue in the allergized site of skin. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in the allergized site of skin. Toluidine blue staining was provided to observe mast cell degranulation in subcutaneous loose connective tissue in the allergized site of skin. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the protein expressions of Lyn and Syk during degranulation of mast cells. RESULTS: In the rats of the odel group, the eipdermis of allergized site was thickening, cells were disorganized in hierarchy and inflammatory cells were infiltrated largely in the dermis. In the positive medication group and the EA group, the epidermis was getting thin, cell arrangement was clear and the inflammatory cell infiltration was obviously alleviated as compared with the model group. Compared with the blank group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the OD value of skin dye effusion quantity, the degranulation rate of mast cells and the positive expressions of Lyn and Syk were all reduced in the EA group and the positive medication group (P<0.01). Compared with the positive medication group, the degranulation rate of mast cells was increased significantly in the EA group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Quchi" (LI 11), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) reduces vascular permeability and gives play to the role of anti-allergy by the way of regulating and controlling the degranulation of mast cells in the rats with urticaria and the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture may be related to the inhibition of protein expressions of Lyn and Syk in mast cells.