title: [Effect of acupuncture at different acupoints on expression of hypothalamic GABA and GABA(A) receptor proteins in insomnia rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of acupuncture of "Shenmai" (BL 62) and "Zhaohai" (KI 6), "Shenmen" (HT 7), etc. on the expression of hypothalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) proteins in experimental insomnia rats so as to explore its mechanism underlying improving sleeping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, "Sanyinjiao" (SP6), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Shenmen" (HT7), and "Shenmai" (BL 62)-Zhaohai (KI 6, BL 62-KI 6) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of chlorophenylalanine solution (PCPA, 1 mL/100 g). An acupuncture needle was inserted into each of the bilateral HT 7, PC 6, SP 6, ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6 respectively and manipulated for about 1 min, once daily for 7 days. Hypothamic GABA and GABA(A)R protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry. The animals' physical ability was evaluated by using pole-climbing test in a water tank.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with the normal control group, the numbers of hypothalamic GABA immunoreaction (IR)- and GABA(A)R IR-positive neurons and the pole-climbing time were reduced significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). While in comparison with the model group, the numbers of hypothalamic GABA IR-positive neurons and those of hypothalamic GABA(A)R IR-positive neurons in the HT 7, PC 6, SP 6, ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6 groups, as well as the pole-climbing duration in the SP 6, ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6 groups were increased considerably (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The effects of HT 7 and BL 62-KI 6 groups were significantly superior to those of PC 6, ST 36 and SP 6 groups in up-regulating GABA and GABA(A)R expression, and the effect of BL 62-KI 6 group was remarkably better than those of HT 7, PC 6, SP 6 and ST 36 groups in lengthening the pole-climbing time (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture can effectively suppress insomnia induced down-regulation of hypothalamic GABA and GABA(A)R in rats and lengthen pole-climbing time, which may contribute to its effect in relieving insomnia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acu-moxibustion and Tuina, Henan College of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, China. zylaugust@126.com
authors.forename: Yan-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xi-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Pei-Yu
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid