Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on proangiogenesis process and protein turn-over in a mouse model of sarcopenia

so as to explore its potential molecular mechanism anti-aging. Methods Fourteen 30-week-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group(n=7) and an EA group(n=7). Seven anti-rapidly aging SAMR1 mice of the same age were used as the control group(n=7). EA(1 mA

4 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Yanglingquan"(GB34) for 20 minutes each time once a day

6 times a week for 4 weeks. The exhausted running platform was used to test the sports function. Gastrocnemius muscle mass and relative ratio of gastrocnemius muscle mass to body mass were measured. HE staining and transmission electron microscope were used to observe the morphology

and the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle was calculated. Relative protein expressions of protein kinase B(AKT)

phosphorylated(p)-AKT

mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)

p-mTOR

p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase(p70 S6 K)

p-p70 S6 K

hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and relative mRNA expressions of HIF-1α

vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A)

muscle RING finger-1(MuRF-1) and muscle atrophy F-box(MAFbx) were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR

seperatively. Results Compared with the control group

the running time and distance

body mass and gastrocnemius mass

and the ratio of gastrocnemius mass to body mass decreased(P<0.01

P<0.05)

cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius

related protein expression of p-AKT

p-mTOR

p-p70 S6 K and HIF-1α

mRNA expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-A decreased(P<0.01)

while mRNA expression of MuRF1 and MAFbx increased(P<0.01) in the model group. Following EA intervention

the running time and distance

body mass and gastrocnemius mass and the ratio of gastrocnemius mass to body mass increased(P<0.05)

cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius

related protein expression of p-AKT

p-mTOR

p-p70 S6 K and HIF-1α

mRNA expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-A were significantly up-regulated(P<0.01)

mRNA expression of MuRF1 and MAFbx down-regulated(P<0.01

P<0.05) in the EA group compared with the model group. Conclusion EA may delay the aging muscle atrophy in mice by regulating the gastrocnemius muscle's proangiogenesis process and protein turnover.