Objective To explore whether manual acupuncture stimulation of"Shenshu "(BL23)

"Guanyuan"(CV4)

"Zhongwan"(CV12) can improve the ovarian function by resisting oxidant stress and reducing apoptosis of granulosa cells in rats with ovarian hypofunction.MethodsForty female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into blank control

model

hormone therapy and acupuncture groups(n=10 rats in each group). The ovarian hypofunction model was established by gavage of Tripterygium Glycosides suspension(50 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

)for 14 successive days. Rats of the hormone therapy group were treated by gavage of estrogen and progesterone

and those of the acupuncture group treated by manual acupuncture stimulation of bilateral BL23 or CV4 and CV12 alternatively by using uniform reinforcing-reducing method for 10 s every 5 min(3 times in 10 min). The treatment was performed once daily for 14 days. The blank group was given equal volume of normal saline daily. On the 9 thday

the estrous cycle of each rat was observed by means of vaginal smear test. The ovarian index

serum estradiol(E2)

follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)

luteinizing hormone(LH)

malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)contents were detected by ELISA. Histopathological changes of the ovary tissue were observed by H. E. staining. The expressions of apoptosisrelated proteins Bax and Bcl-2 and their mRNAs of the ovaries were determined by immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real time-PCR separately.ResultsThe menstrual disorder rate was 100% in the model group

and was significantly higher than those in the hormone therapy(30%) and acupuncture(40%) groups(P

<

0. 01). Following modeling

the ovarian wet weight and index

E2 and SOD contents

Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions were significantly decreased(P

<

0. 01

P

<

0. 05)

and serum FSH

LH and MDA levels

Bax protein and mRNA expressions were significantly increased(P

<

0. 05

P

<

0. 01)in the model group in comparison with the blank control group. H. E. staining showed a large amount of connective tissue in the ovary

with fewer mature follicles

increase of atresia follicles

significant reduction of luteal tissue

and appearance of scarring tissue in the model group. Compared with the model group

there were more mature follicles

fewer atresia follicles

lower abnormal granulosa cell morphology and lower estrous cycle disorder ratio in both hormone therapy and acupuncture groups. After the interventions

the decreased ovarian wet weight and index

serum E2 and SOD contents

expressions of Bcl-2 protein and mRNA were significantly increased(P

<

0. 05

P

<

0. 01)

and the increased levels of FSH and LH

MDA

expressions of Bax protein and mRNA were significantly decreased in both hormone therapy and acupuncture groups(P

<

0. 05

P

<

0. 01). The effect of acupuncture was significantly superior to that of hormone in up-regulating SOD

Bax and Bcl-2 protein expressions(P

<

0. 01).Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the menstrual disorder in rats with ovarian hypofunction

which is closely related to its effects in improving antioxidant stress ability and regulating the expressions of apoptosis-related protein and mRNA of ovarian granulosa cells.