Abstract P215: NADPH Oxidase Dependent Oxidative Stress and Redox Sensitive MAPKs Contribute to the Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats [Session Title: Onsite Poster Competition I With Reception]

This study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that acupuncture exerts an antihypertensive effect via ameliorating oxidative stress and the redox-sensitive pathway in the RVLM of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Two weeks of acupuncture reduced blood pressure and sympathetic nervous system activity in SHRs. Oxidative stress in the RVLM was alleviated by acupuncture, accompanied by a decrease in NADPH oxidase activity and expression of its subunits. Acupuncture significantly altered the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway as assessed by pathway enrichment analysis in a gene chip assay. The phosphorylation of p38MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2, but not Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), were downregulated by acupuncture. Microinjection bilaterally of the superoxide dismutase mimetic tempol, NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin or diphenyleneiodonium chloride into the RVLM mimicked the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture. In contrast, the NADPH oxidase agonist TBCA abolished the beneficial effects of acupuncture. Furthermore, injection of capsaicin, or surgical sectioning of the sciatic nerve abolished the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture. We conclude that acupuncture decreases NADPH oxidase derived ROS and inactivates its downstream MAPKs in the RVLM to restore sympathetic vasomotor activity and decrease blood pressure. The neural transmission from the sensory sciatic nerve is involved in mechanism of acupuncture in...
Source: Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Poster Abstract Presentations Source Type: research