Immunohistochemical localization of cyclooxygenase-2 in pregnant rat uterus by Sp-6 acupuncture.
As pregnancy advances, prostaglandins (PG) increase in the uterus, leading to elevated uterine contractility. Therefore, regulating the concentration of PG in the uterus can be a key factor for controlling the duration of labor. Since the synthesis of PGs in the uterus is catalyzed by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), devising a tool to regulate the expression of COX-2 could provide a method for treating complicated labor. In this study, Sp-6 acupuncture treatment was evaluated for its potential in controlling uterine motility. Immunohistochemical methods showed the COX-2 enzyme was primarily found in the endometrium and myometrium of rat uterus. COX-2 expression in these two locations were intensified by pregnancy, but reduced by acupuncture at the Sp-6 acupoint. Uterine motility monitored during Sp-6 acupuncture was reduced by 28.15% (p < 0.05) and 19.88% (p < 0.05) in pregnant rats and non-pregnant rats, respectively. The significant reduction of uterine motility in pregnant rat suggests a role for Sp-6 acupuncture in regulating the expression of COX-2 during pregnancy. These results suggest that Sp-6 acupuncture could be used as a complementary method for controlling labor in human pregnancy.
Kim
Jeong-Sang
JS
School of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, Chonnam, South Korea. jskim@red.dongshinu.ac.kr
Na
Chang Su
CS
Hwang
Woo Jun
WJ
Lee
Byung Chul
BC
Shin
Ki Hyoung
KH
Pak
Sok Cheon
SC
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014599:Uterus / Q000201:enzymology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases