Objective To observe the effect of twirling-reducing needling on changes of profile of differentially-expressed genes in the hypothalamus in rats with stress-induced prehypertension(SI-PHT)

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of prehypertension.Methods Wistar male rats were randomly divided into blank control group(n=12)

model group(n=12)and acupuncture group(n=10).The SI-PHT model was established by planta-electric-shock stimulation(30V

5s)plus noise stimulation(80-100 db

50ms)

twice daily

continuously for 11 days.Manual acupuncture stimulation(twirling-reducing needling)was applied to bilateral"Taichong"(LR 3)and"Quchi"(LI 11)for about 1min(60cycles/min)

followed by retaining the needles for 20 min during modeling preparation

once daily for 11 days.The systolic blood pressure(SBP)and behavior changes were recorded before intervention and on the 3rd

5th

7th

9th and 11 th day during modeling.The expression(Fold change

|FC|≥1.5)profile of genes in the hypothalamus was analyzed using Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Gene 2.0ST Array

followed by analyzing the differentially-expressed genes involving the related biological process

molecular function

and signaling pathways by using Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)

separately.Results After modeling

the systolic pressure levels were remarkably increased from the 3rd day to the 11 th day in both model and acupuncture groups relatively to their respective baseline levels(P<0.01)

and were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the model group(P<0.01)from the 5th day to the 11 th day.Meanwhile

93 genes were up-regulated and 153down-regulated in the model group relative to the control group(P<0.05

|FC|≥1.5)

while in comparison with the model group

59 genes were up-regulated and 86down-regulated in the acupuncture group(P<0.05

|FC|≥1.5).The expression levels of the 40differentially-expressed genes(24up-regulated and 16down-regulated)in the model group were evidently reversed after acupuncture stimulation(P<0.05

|FC|≥1.5).After acupuncture stimulation

the expression of acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 3(Acsm 3)gene was down-regulated

and chorionic gonadotropin-alpha(Cgα)

crystal(Cry)αB and thyroid stimulating hormone beta(Tshβ)genes and the autoimmune thyroid disease(AITD)pathway were up-regulated(P<0.05

|FC|≥1.5)

suggesting an involvement of fatty acid biosynthetic processing

G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling

and hormone activity

etc.in acupuncture-induced blood-pressure lowering.Conclusion Twirling-reducing needling of acupuncture can lower blood pressure in prehypertension rats

which may be related to its effects in regulating expression of Acsm 3

Cgα

CryαB

Tshβgenes and in activating AITD pathway.