[Effect of electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy on the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter mRNAs in substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease model rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group and a point-through-point therapy group. 6-()HDA was injected into left striatum to made lateralization Parkinson's disease rat model. The point-through-point therapy group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20 )-through-"Taiyang" (EX-NH 5), once each day, 6 days constituting one course, for 2 courses, and the rats of other groups were not treated. HE staining method was used for observation of the histo-morphologic changes of the substantia nigra neurons, and RT-PCR for the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNAs.


RESULTS
The expressions of TH mRNA (1.22 +/- 0. 19) and DAT mRNA (0.62-0.11) in the point-through-point therapy group were significantly higher than (0.65 +/- 0.17) and (0.41 +/- 0.08) in the model group, respectively (all P < 0.05). As compared with the model group, the number of neurons in the substantia nigra increased and degeneration of the neurons relieved in the point-through-point therapy group.


CONCLUSIONS
The electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy can increase expressions of TH mRNA and DAT mRNA in the substantia nigra in the Parkinson's disease model rat, and promote synthesis and reuptake of dopamine, hence Parkinson's disease is cured.
Wang
Shun
S
Heilongjiang Academy of TCM, Harbin 150036, China. hljwang@yahoo.com.cn
Qi
Xiu-jie
XJ
Han
Di
D
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase