Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy of needling acupoins of Guanyuan(CV4), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Zusanli(ST36), Pishu(BL20), Shenshu(BL23), Zigong(EX-CA1) on the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK) in ovarian tissue in rats with premature ovarian failure induced by cyclophosphamide, and to study the underlying mechanism.METHODS:Forty specific pathogen free female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the blank group, the model group, the acupuncture group, the Western Medicine group and the Western Medicine combined with acupuncture group. Except the blank group, the rest of the rats were given with cyclophosphamide for 14 d to establish premature ovarian failure model. No intervention was conducted in the blank group and model group; the acupuncture group was given with acupuncture daily; the Western Medicine group was given with estradiol valerate(0.09 mg/kg) by intragastrical gavage daily; the combination group was given with acupuncture combined with estradiol valerate(0.09 mg/kg) daily. Each group was intervened in continuously for 14 d. After the last treatment, the levels of estradiol(E2), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, then the ovarian tissue was dissected. Western blot was used to detect the expression of p38 MAPK protein.RESULTS:Compared with the blank group, E2 in the serum of rats in the model group was significantly decreased(P < 0.05), FSH and LH were significantly increased(P < 0.05), and the expression of p38 MAPK protein in the ovarian tissue of the rats was significantly increased(P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, E2 in the serum of the acupuncture group, Western Medicine group and the combination group were significantly increased(P < 0.05), FSH and LH levels were significantly decreased(P < 0.05), and the expression of p38MAPK protein in the ovarian tissue of the rats was significantly decreased(P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the Western Medicine group and the acupuncture group(P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Acupuncture has the same effect as estrogen in interfering POF caused by cyclophosphamide, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of p38MAPK protein in ovarian tissue and affecting the activation of p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Key words: acupuncture, premature ovarian insufficiency, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, signal transduction