title: The effect of electroacupuncture on insulin-like growth factor-I and oxidative stress in an animal model of renal failure-induced hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was performed to demonstrate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and acupuncture on renal failure (RF)-induced hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  We stimulated the Zusanli (ST36) and Taixi (KI3) acupoints in a rat model of RF-induced hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EA significantly reduced RF-induced hypertension (p < 0.05). In a histopathological study, increments in RF-induced glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were attenuated by EA treatment (p < 0.05). The increase in albuminuria in the RF group was also reduced by EA treatment (p < 0.05). In blood analysis, the increment in RF-induced serum BUN and creatinine concentrations were decreased by EA (p < 0.05), and the decreases in RF-induced insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA and protein levels were increased by EA in both the kidney and the serum (p < 0.05). The increases in RF-induced oxidative stress, e.g. inducible nitric oxide synthase, heme oxygenase and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance expression, were significantly decreased in the RF-EA group (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the anti-hypertensive mechanism of EA could be related to the effects of oxidative stress on IGF-I in RF-induced hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Bio-Safety Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Il
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Eun Jin
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang-Won
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I