In order to find out whether long interspersed elements （LINEs） existed in macro-algae gehomes or not, we tested the LINE homologues in representative families （species）： Gracilaria （G. eucheumoides Harv., G. te...In order to find out whether long interspersed elements （LINEs） existed in macro-algae gehomes or not, we tested the LINE homologues in representative families （species）： Gracilaria （G. eucheumoides Harv., G. tenuistipitata Chang et Xia, and G. textorii （Sur） De-Toni）, Laminaria （L. longissima Miyabe and L. japonica Aresch.）, and Ulva （U. lactuca L. and U. pertusa Kjellm.） during 2004 to 2005. Polymerase Chain Reaction （PCR） was carried out with degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed from LINEs of rice homologues and Cin4 of maize. Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products revealed that 4 clones that derived from 3 species of Gracilaria have LINE homologues. The nucleotide sequences of the 4 LINE homologues diverged greatly, but the amino acid sequences deduced from them were relatively conserved. The endonuclease regions of the LINE homologues greatly diverged from that of other plants, but they had closer phylogenetic relationship to Zepp elements in Chlorella sp., which indicated that sequence divergence by vertical transmission has been a major influence on the evolution of algal LINEs.展开更多
Objective To explore the effects of liposome C erbB 2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S ODNs) on C erbB 2 proto oncogene expression and cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells Metho...Objective To explore the effects of liposome C erbB 2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S ODNs) on C erbB 2 proto oncogene expression and cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells Methods The effects of liposome C erbB 2 S ODNs on C erbB 2 protein expression, cell cycle and cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells were studied by means of flow cytometry and 3H thymidine incorporation Results Liposome C erbB 2 S ODNs can specifically reduce C erbB 2 protein expression in human ovarian cancer cells, accompanied by a 30% inhibition of cell proliferation The effectiveness of liposome C erbB 2 S ODNs on the expression of C erbB 2 was about 40 times higher than that of C erbB 2 S ODNs Conclusions The data suggest that antisense therapy might be a useful method of gene therapy in ovarian cancer The effectiveness of C erbB 2 S ODNs could be greatly increased by adsorption of S ODNs by liposomes展开更多
Porous silicon nanoparficles （pSiNPs） are a promising nanocarrier system for drug delivery owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-inflammatory nature. Here, we investigate the fabrication and cha...Porous silicon nanoparficles （pSiNPs） are a promising nanocarrier system for drug delivery owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-inflammatory nature. Here, we investigate the fabrication and characterization of thermally hydrocarbonized pSiNPs （THCpSiNPs） and chitosan-coated THCpSiNPs for therapeutic oligonucleotide delivery. Chitosan coating after oligonucleotide loading significantly improves sustained oligonucleotide release and suppresses burst release effects. Moreover, cellular uptake, endocytosis, and cytotoxicity of oligonucleotide-loaded THCpSiNPs have been evaluated in vitro. Standard cell viability assays demonstrate that cells incubated with the NPs at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL are 95% viable. In addition, chitosan coating significantly enhances the uptake of oligonucleotide-loaded THCpSiNPs across the cell membrane. Moreover, histopathological analysis of liver, kidney, spleen, and skin tissue collected from mice receiving NPs further demonstrates the biocompatible and non-inflammatory properties of the NPs as a gene delivery vehicle for intravenous and subcutaneous administration in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that THCpSiNPs provide a versatile platform that could be used as efficient vehicles for the intracellular delivery of oligonucleotides for gene therapy.展开更多
Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion on colonic inflammation,and the expressions of ubiquitin and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(Nod)-Iike receptor protein 3(NLRP3)proteins in rats with ulcerativ...Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion on colonic inflammation,and the expressions of ubiquitin and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(Nod)-Iike receptor protein 3(NLRP3)proteins in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC),and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion in the UC treatment.Methods:Clean grade male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NG),a model group(MG),a moxa-stick moxibustion group(MSMG)and a Western medicine group(WMG).UC model was prepared by freely drinking 35 g/L d ext ran sulfate sodium(DSS)solution.Bilateral Tianshu(ST 25)were selected for mild moxibustion treatment in the MSMG;mesalazine solution was intragastrically administrated in the WMG.Rats in the NG and MG were only grasped and fixed as in the MSMG without any treatment.After treatment,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe and score the colonic pathological damage under light microscope;immunofluorescence method was used to determine the expression of colonic ubiquitin protein;immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of colonic interleukin(IL)-1β and NLRP3 proteins.Results:The colon tissue was severely injured,and the pathological score was significantly increased in the MG than in the NG(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the colon were significantly increased(all P<0.01).Compared with the MG,the colonic damage was repaired,the inflammation and pathological scores were reduced,and the ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β protein expressions were decreased in the MSMG and WMG(all P<0.01).Correlation analysis revealed that the ubiquitin protein expression was correlated with the colonic pathological score and the NLRP3 protein expression(r=0.677,P<0.01;r=0.536,P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion can down-regulate the protein expressions of ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the colon of UC rats,which may be one of the mechanisms to promote the repair of colonic inflammatory lesions and exert anti-inflammatory effects.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on cognitive function in D-galactose(D-gal)-induced aging rats,and the correlation between the effect and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-lik...Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on cognitive function in D-galactose(D-gal)-induced aging rats,and the correlation between the effect and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)-ASC-Caspase-1 signaling pathway.Methods:Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a control group(n=10),a model group(n=12),an EA-7 d group(n=12)and an EA-21 d group(n=12).Except the control group,the other three groups received 42 consecutive days of intraperitoneal injection of D-gal to establish aging rat models with cognitive dysfunction.The control group received the same amount of normal saline via intraperitoneal injection.Two EA groups were given EA therapy for 21 consecutive days(began from the 22nd day of modeling)or 7 consecutive days(began from the 36th day of modeling)accordingly at Dazhui(GV 14),Baihui(GV 20),Shenshu(BL 23)and Zusanli(ST 36).After modeling/intervention,all four groups received behavioral evaluations by Morris water maze(MWM)test,novel object recognition(NOR)test and step-down passive avoidance(SDPA)test followed by the Western blot(WB)detection of the expression levels of hippocampal NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1.Results:MWM(place navigation test,PNT)results showed that the escape latency in the model group was significantly longer than that in the other three groups(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among the other three groups on the 1st day of the test(P>0.05).From the 2nd day to the 4th day of the test,there was no significant difference between the EA-21 d group and the control group(P>0.05)in the escape latency;the escape latency was significantly shorter in the EA-21 d group than in the model group and the EA-7 d group(P<0.05).MWM(spatial probe test,SPT)results showed that the time spent in the target quadrant was significantly shorter and platform crossover number was significantly lower in the model group than in the other three groups(P<0.05).The time spent in the target quadrant was longer in the EA-7 d group than in the model group(P<0.05),but was shorter than that in the control group and the EA-21 d group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the swimming speed among the four groups(P>0.05).NOR results showed that there was no significant difference in the recognition ratio between the EA-7 d group and the EA-21 d group(P>0.05),and the recognition ratio was significantly higher in the two EA groups than in the model group(P<0.05),but was lower than in the control group(P<0.05).SDPA results showed that the electric shock number was higher in the model group than in the other three groups(P<0.05),and the differences among the other three groups were statistically insignificant(P>0.05).The model group had the shortest step-down latency,followed by the EA-7 d group,the EA-21 d group and the control group in order(P<0.05).The WB results indicated that the expression level of NLRP3 was significantly lower in the control group and the EA-21 d group than in the model group and the EA-7 d group(P<0.05).The expression levels of ASC and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the model group than in the other three groups(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among these three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:NLRP3 inflammasome may be involved in the development of cognitive decline in aging rats;7 consecutive days of EA intervention can partially improve the cognitive impairment in aging rats though the effect is rather limited;21 consecutive days of EA intervention may improve the learning and memory abilities in aging rats via downregulating the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins in hippocampus.展开更多
Objective:To study the effects of the generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN) compound on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(...Objective:To study the effects of the generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN) compound on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and its mRNA of breast cancer cells and on the inhibition of vascular endothelial cells. Methods:We examined the morphology of G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN compound and its pH stability,in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity,and the expressions of VEGF and its mRNA. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect the inhibitory function of the compound on vascular endothelial cells. Results:The compound was about 10 nm in diameter and was homogeneously netlike. From pH 5 to 10,it showed quite a buffered ability. The 48-h transfection rate in the charge ratio of 1:40 was 98.76%,significantly higher than that of the liposome group(P<0.05). None of the transfection products showed obvious toxicity on the cells. The expressions of both VEGF protein and its mRNA after G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN transfection decreased markedly. Conclusion:With a low toxicity,high safety,and high transfection rate,G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN could be a promising gene vector. Specifically,it inhibits VEGF gene expression efficiently,laying a basis for further in vivo animal studies.展开更多
Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in uterine tissues of rats with...Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in uterine tissues of rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), thus to explore the possible mechanism of EA for PD. Methods: Fifty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA at non-acupoint group, an EA at acupoint group and a Western medicine group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, rats in the other four groups were treated with estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin for 11 d to establish PD rat models. From day 1 of the modeling, rats in the normal group and the model group were only properly grasped without any intervention;Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected for EA treatment in the EA at acupoint group;rats in the EA at non-acupoint group were treated with EA at 5 mm away from the acupoints selected above;rats in the Western medicine group were treated with ibuprofen via gavage. Rats in each group were treated for 10-day successively. On the 11th day, except for the normal group, rats in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with oxytocin (2 U/rat), and the writhing number within 30 min in each group was compared;the pathological changes in rat uteruses were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the pathological damage scores were evaluated. Protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, phospho-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, cysteine aspastic acid-specific protease 1 (caspase-1), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the normal group, the writhing number increased significantly (P<0.05), and the extensive exfoliation of the endometrium, severe edema, and histopathological score all increased significantly in the model group (P<0.05) as well as the protein levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18, and the ratio of phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in rat uterine tissues (all P<0.05);compared with the model group, the numbers of writhing reaction decreased within 30 min (P<0.05), the endometrial exfoliation was rare, the edema degree was mild, and the histopathological scores decreased significantly (all P<0.05) in the EA at acupoint group and the Western medicine group;compared with the model group, the phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio and the NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels of rat uterine tissues in the EA at acupoint group were significantly lower (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels of the rat uterine tissues decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the differences in the NLRP3 and phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 levels were statistically insignificant (all P>0.05) in the Western medicine group;compared with the Western medicine group, the phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio, also the NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels of the uterine tissues decreased significantly in the EA at acupoint group (all P<0.05), while the difference in the caspase-1 level was statistically insignificant (P>0.05);there were no significant differences between the EA at non-acupoint group and the model group in any indicators (all P>0.05). Conclusion: EA at acupoints significantly improves the pain and pathological damages of PD rats. The mechanism may be related to the reduced uterine inflammation via inhibiting NF-κB phosphorylation and NLRP3 activation in uteruses of PD rats.展开更多
基金Supported by the NSFC (No. 40376049 and No. 30500383)Shandong Agricultural Seed Stock Breeding Project and Knowledge In-novation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-N-47-02).
文摘In order to find out whether long interspersed elements （LINEs） existed in macro-algae gehomes or not, we tested the LINE homologues in representative families （species）： Gracilaria （G. eucheumoides Harv., G. tenuistipitata Chang et Xia, and G. textorii （Sur） De-Toni）, Laminaria （L. longissima Miyabe and L. japonica Aresch.）, and Ulva （U. lactuca L. and U. pertusa Kjellm.） during 2004 to 2005. Polymerase Chain Reaction （PCR） was carried out with degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed from LINEs of rice homologues and Cin4 of maize. Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products revealed that 4 clones that derived from 3 species of Gracilaria have LINE homologues. The nucleotide sequences of the 4 LINE homologues diverged greatly, but the amino acid sequences deduced from them were relatively conserved. The endonuclease regions of the LINE homologues greatly diverged from that of other plants, but they had closer phylogenetic relationship to Zepp elements in Chlorella sp., which indicated that sequence divergence by vertical transmission has been a major influence on the evolution of algal LINEs.
基金ThisworkwassupportedbytheNationalNaturalScienceFoundationof China (No 39470 72 4)
文摘Objective To explore the effects of liposome C erbB 2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S ODNs) on C erbB 2 proto oncogene expression and cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells Methods The effects of liposome C erbB 2 S ODNs on C erbB 2 protein expression, cell cycle and cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer cells were studied by means of flow cytometry and 3H thymidine incorporation Results Liposome C erbB 2 S ODNs can specifically reduce C erbB 2 protein expression in human ovarian cancer cells, accompanied by a 30% inhibition of cell proliferation The effectiveness of liposome C erbB 2 S ODNs on the expression of C erbB 2 was about 40 times higher than that of C erbB 2 S ODNs Conclusions The data suggest that antisense therapy might be a useful method of gene therapy in ovarian cancer The effectiveness of C erbB 2 S ODNs could be greatly increased by adsorption of S ODNs by liposomes
文摘Porous silicon nanoparficles （pSiNPs） are a promising nanocarrier system for drug delivery owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-inflammatory nature. Here, we investigate the fabrication and characterization of thermally hydrocarbonized pSiNPs （THCpSiNPs） and chitosan-coated THCpSiNPs for therapeutic oligonucleotide delivery. Chitosan coating after oligonucleotide loading significantly improves sustained oligonucleotide release and suppresses burst release effects. Moreover, cellular uptake, endocytosis, and cytotoxicity of oligonucleotide-loaded THCpSiNPs have been evaluated in vitro. Standard cell viability assays demonstrate that cells incubated with the NPs at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL are 95% viable. In addition, chitosan coating significantly enhances the uptake of oligonucleotide-loaded THCpSiNPs across the cell membrane. Moreover, histopathological analysis of liver, kidney, spleen, and skin tissue collected from mice receiving NPs further demonstrates the biocompatible and non-inflammatory properties of the NPs as a gene delivery vehicle for intravenous and subcutaneous administration in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that THCpSiNPs provide a versatile platform that could be used as efficient vehicles for the intracellular delivery of oligonucleotides for gene therapy.
文摘Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion on colonic inflammation,and the expressions of ubiquitin and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(Nod)-Iike receptor protein 3(NLRP3)proteins in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC),and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion in the UC treatment.Methods:Clean grade male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NG),a model group(MG),a moxa-stick moxibustion group(MSMG)and a Western medicine group(WMG).UC model was prepared by freely drinking 35 g/L d ext ran sulfate sodium(DSS)solution.Bilateral Tianshu(ST 25)were selected for mild moxibustion treatment in the MSMG;mesalazine solution was intragastrically administrated in the WMG.Rats in the NG and MG were only grasped and fixed as in the MSMG without any treatment.After treatment,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe and score the colonic pathological damage under light microscope;immunofluorescence method was used to determine the expression of colonic ubiquitin protein;immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of colonic interleukin(IL)-1β and NLRP3 proteins.Results:The colon tissue was severely injured,and the pathological score was significantly increased in the MG than in the NG(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the colon were significantly increased(all P<0.01).Compared with the MG,the colonic damage was repaired,the inflammation and pathological scores were reduced,and the ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β protein expressions were decreased in the MSMG and WMG(all P<0.01).Correlation analysis revealed that the ubiquitin protein expression was correlated with the colonic pathological score and the NLRP3 protein expression(r=0.677,P<0.01;r=0.536,P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion can down-regulate the protein expressions of ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the colon of UC rats,which may be one of the mechanisms to promote the repair of colonic inflammatory lesions and exert anti-inflammatory effects.
文摘Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on cognitive function in D-galactose(D-gal)-induced aging rats,and the correlation between the effect and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)-ASC-Caspase-1 signaling pathway.Methods:Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a control group(n=10),a model group(n=12),an EA-7 d group(n=12)and an EA-21 d group(n=12).Except the control group,the other three groups received 42 consecutive days of intraperitoneal injection of D-gal to establish aging rat models with cognitive dysfunction.The control group received the same amount of normal saline via intraperitoneal injection.Two EA groups were given EA therapy for 21 consecutive days(began from the 22nd day of modeling)or 7 consecutive days(began from the 36th day of modeling)accordingly at Dazhui(GV 14),Baihui(GV 20),Shenshu(BL 23)and Zusanli(ST 36).After modeling/intervention,all four groups received behavioral evaluations by Morris water maze(MWM)test,novel object recognition(NOR)test and step-down passive avoidance(SDPA)test followed by the Western blot(WB)detection of the expression levels of hippocampal NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1.Results:MWM(place navigation test,PNT)results showed that the escape latency in the model group was significantly longer than that in the other three groups(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among the other three groups on the 1st day of the test(P>0.05).From the 2nd day to the 4th day of the test,there was no significant difference between the EA-21 d group and the control group(P>0.05)in the escape latency;the escape latency was significantly shorter in the EA-21 d group than in the model group and the EA-7 d group(P<0.05).MWM(spatial probe test,SPT)results showed that the time spent in the target quadrant was significantly shorter and platform crossover number was significantly lower in the model group than in the other three groups(P<0.05).The time spent in the target quadrant was longer in the EA-7 d group than in the model group(P<0.05),but was shorter than that in the control group and the EA-21 d group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the swimming speed among the four groups(P>0.05).NOR results showed that there was no significant difference in the recognition ratio between the EA-7 d group and the EA-21 d group(P>0.05),and the recognition ratio was significantly higher in the two EA groups than in the model group(P<0.05),but was lower than in the control group(P<0.05).SDPA results showed that the electric shock number was higher in the model group than in the other three groups(P<0.05),and the differences among the other three groups were statistically insignificant(P>0.05).The model group had the shortest step-down latency,followed by the EA-7 d group,the EA-21 d group and the control group in order(P<0.05).The WB results indicated that the expression level of NLRP3 was significantly lower in the control group and the EA-21 d group than in the model group and the EA-7 d group(P<0.05).The expression levels of ASC and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the model group than in the other three groups(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among these three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:NLRP3 inflammasome may be involved in the development of cognitive decline in aging rats;7 consecutive days of EA intervention can partially improve the cognitive impairment in aging rats though the effect is rather limited;21 consecutive days of EA intervention may improve the learning and memory abilities in aging rats via downregulating the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins in hippocampus.
基金Project (No. 30572140) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Objective:To study the effects of the generation 4 polyamidoamine/vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN) compound on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and its mRNA of breast cancer cells and on the inhibition of vascular endothelial cells. Methods:We examined the morphology of G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN compound and its pH stability,in vitro transfection efficiency and toxicity,and the expressions of VEGF and its mRNA. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect the inhibitory function of the compound on vascular endothelial cells. Results:The compound was about 10 nm in diameter and was homogeneously netlike. From pH 5 to 10,it showed quite a buffered ability. The 48-h transfection rate in the charge ratio of 1:40 was 98.76%,significantly higher than that of the liposome group(P<0.05). None of the transfection products showed obvious toxicity on the cells. The expressions of both VEGF protein and its mRNA after G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN transfection decreased markedly. Conclusion:With a low toxicity,high safety,and high transfection rate,G4PAMAM/VEGFASODN could be a promising gene vector. Specifically,it inhibits VEGF gene expression efficiently,laying a basis for further in vivo animal studies.
文摘Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in uterine tissues of rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), thus to explore the possible mechanism of EA for PD. Methods: Fifty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA at non-acupoint group, an EA at acupoint group and a Western medicine group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, rats in the other four groups were treated with estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin for 11 d to establish PD rat models. From day 1 of the modeling, rats in the normal group and the model group were only properly grasped without any intervention;Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected for EA treatment in the EA at acupoint group;rats in the EA at non-acupoint group were treated with EA at 5 mm away from the acupoints selected above;rats in the Western medicine group were treated with ibuprofen via gavage. Rats in each group were treated for 10-day successively. On the 11th day, except for the normal group, rats in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with oxytocin (2 U/rat), and the writhing number within 30 min in each group was compared;the pathological changes in rat uteruses were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the pathological damage scores were evaluated. Protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, phospho-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, cysteine aspastic acid-specific protease 1 (caspase-1), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the normal group, the writhing number increased significantly (P<0.05), and the extensive exfoliation of the endometrium, severe edema, and histopathological score all increased significantly in the model group (P<0.05) as well as the protein levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18, and the ratio of phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in rat uterine tissues (all P<0.05);compared with the model group, the numbers of writhing reaction decreased within 30 min (P<0.05), the endometrial exfoliation was rare, the edema degree was mild, and the histopathological scores decreased significantly (all P<0.05) in the EA at acupoint group and the Western medicine group;compared with the model group, the phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio and the NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels of rat uterine tissues in the EA at acupoint group were significantly lower (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels of the rat uterine tissues decreased significantly (all P<0.05), and the differences in the NLRP3 and phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 levels were statistically insignificant (all P>0.05) in the Western medicine group;compared with the Western medicine group, the phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio, also the NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels of the uterine tissues decreased significantly in the EA at acupoint group (all P<0.05), while the difference in the caspase-1 level was statistically insignificant (P>0.05);there were no significant differences between the EA at non-acupoint group and the model group in any indicators (all P>0.05). Conclusion: EA at acupoints significantly improves the pain and pathological damages of PD rats. The mechanism may be related to the reduced uterine inflammation via inhibiting NF-κB phosphorylation and NLRP3 activation in uteruses of PD rats.
