1Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Bukgu, Gwangju-61005, Republic of Korea
2Department of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, Jeollanamdo-58245, Republic of Korea
3Department of Health Administration, Dongshin University, Naju, Jeollanamdo-58245, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding Author: Daehwan Youn, Dongshin University, Naju, Jeollanamdo-58245, Republic of Korea, Email: human22@dsu.ac.kr
Online published on 9 August, 2024.
We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of change in mitochondrial fusion- and fission-related mediators for maintaining cell function through the effects of acupuncture treatment and apply findings to a liver disease model. We focused on the optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) and fission protein 1 (Fis1) genes of rat liver cells.
Sprague Dawley rats were divided into a control group (no treatment) and LR2, LR3, LR4 and LR8 groups (acupuncture treatment to those points). Acupuncture was performed on each point for 10 minutes once daily for 4 days. Changes in the mRNA expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and Fis1 were observed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); changes in OPA1, mitofusin-2 (MFN2), mitofusin-1 (MFN1), dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) proteins were observed through western blotting and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressions were observed through immunohistochemistry.
OPA1 decreased in the LR3 and LR8 groups and Fis1 increased in the LR2 and LR4 groups. AMPK and PGC-1α decreased significantly in all acupuncture groups. eNOS and nNOS expression reduced in all acupuncture groups. Therefore, acupuncture can regulate mitochondrial fusion/fission by influencing the following mediators: AMPK, PGC-1α, OPA1, Fis1, eNOS and nNOS.
Acupuncture, AMPK, ENOS, Fis1, NNOS, OPA1, PGC-1α
