[Expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases in the subcutaneous fascia of rats and their changes after acupuncture].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the subcutaneous fascia of SD rats.


METHODS
Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=3) including 5 acupuncture groups and a control group. The rats in the 5 acupuncture groups received electro-acupuncture therapy in the regions of the inguinal groove, and at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 36 h after the last therapy, the superfacial fascia surrounding the acupuncture point (about 1.5 cm in diameter) were collected. The fascia tissues at the corresponding sites and at the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) were obtained from the control rats. The expression of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the tissues were detected by Western blotting.


RESULTS
ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 expressions were detected in the tissues harvested from both the acupoint and the non-acupoint in the control rats with similar expression intensities. In the rats of each acupuncture group, ERK1/2 expression was significantly increased on the acupuncture side in comparison with the control side.


CONCLUSIONS
The normal loose connective tissue may participate in tissue proliferation and differentiation possibly via phosphorylation of ERK. Acupuncture can promote the signal transduction pathway of ERK, which can be a possible mechanism for the effect of acupuncture in modulating the physiopathological conditions.
Jiang
Xue-mei
XM
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Yang
Chun
C
Yuan
Lin
L
Diao
Jian-xin
JX
Zhang
Xue-quan
XQ
Huang
Yong
Y
Dai
Jing-xing
JX
Qiu
Xiao-zhong
XZ
Yu
Lei
L
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005205:Fascia / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin; D013997:Time Factors
C535148:Mapk1 protein, mouse; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3