RNA sequencing revealed the molecular mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for rat endometriosis
This study aims to explore the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for endometriosis (EMs). Using SD rats, we established an endometriosis model through autologous transplantation. High-throughput mRNA sequencing was performed on the eutopic endometrium from healthy rats (n=5) and ectopic endometrium from EMs rats(n=5), and acupuncture-treated EMs rats (n=5) to construct gene expression profiles. The study identified genes and pathways associated with the initiation, progression of endometriosis lesions, and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, to explore the transcriptomic effects of acupuncture on EMs. The results showed that acupuncture treatment significantly reduced the size of ectopic cysts and induced substantial changes at the gene expression level. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed the existence of multiple potential regulatory factors and uncovered several gene candidates previously not associated with the formation of endometriosis lesions and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, suggesting these mediators may have novel roles in disease progression and could be potential targets for the acupuncture treatment of endometriosis.