Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome
Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex neuroendocrine disorder characterized by dysregulation of the hypothalamus. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of PCOS through improvements in hypothalamic...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01068-3 |
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| author | Yu Wang Yicong Wang Yuning Chen Wenhan Lu Xiaoyu Tong Jiajia Li Wenhao Gao Rui Huang Wei Hu Yi Feng |
| author_facet | Yu Wang Yicong Wang Yuning Chen Wenhan Lu Xiaoyu Tong Jiajia Li Wenhao Gao Rui Huang Wei Hu Yi Feng |
| author_sort | Yu Wang |
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| description | Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex neuroendocrine disorder characterized by dysregulation of the hypothalamus. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of PCOS through improvements in hypothalamic function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are pivotal in regulating hypothalamic endocrine function, whereas tanycyte, a specialized glial cell type, potentially contribute to this process. Methods A dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PCOS-like mouse model was used to investigate the effects of acupuncture. Tissue clearing and three-dimensional (3D) imaging were employed to visualize the hypothalamic GnRH neuronal network and assess postacupuncture modifications. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify changes in the gene profiles associated with EA and MA. Rax-CreERT2 transgenic mice were utilized to investigate the molecular targets of EA in tanycytes. Results EA significantly alleviated neuroendocrine dysfunction in PCOS-like mice by restoring the density and coverage of GnRH axonal projections. MA displayed similar therapeutic effects but had less pronounced effects on GnRH axons. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct mechanisms for these two approaches: EA primarily regulates neuroglial plasticity, whereas MA predominantly targets neurotransmitter regulation. Both EA and MA share a common therapeutic target in the integrin family. Functional studies in Rax-CreERT2 transgenic mice confirmed that Itgb1 plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit during EA treatment. Conclusions EA exerts therapeutic effects on PCOS by targeting hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit, with Itgb1 identified as a key factor. MA primarily functions through neurotransmitter regulation. These findings highlight potential hypothalamic targets and provide new insights into the distinct mechanisms of EA and MA. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-f834f9b2131546cd866d19d11b20092e2025-02-09T12:54:17ZengBMCChinese Medicine1749-85462025-02-0120111710.1186/s13020-025-01068-3Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndromeYu Wang0Yicong Wang1Yuning Chen2Wenhan Lu3Xiaoyu Tong4Jiajia Li5Wenhao Gao6Rui Huang7Wei Hu8Yi Feng9Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityDepartment of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science , Fudan UniversityAbstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex neuroendocrine disorder characterized by dysregulation of the hypothalamus. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of PCOS through improvements in hypothalamic function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are pivotal in regulating hypothalamic endocrine function, whereas tanycyte, a specialized glial cell type, potentially contribute to this process. Methods A dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PCOS-like mouse model was used to investigate the effects of acupuncture. Tissue clearing and three-dimensional (3D) imaging were employed to visualize the hypothalamic GnRH neuronal network and assess postacupuncture modifications. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify changes in the gene profiles associated with EA and MA. Rax-CreERT2 transgenic mice were utilized to investigate the molecular targets of EA in tanycytes. Results EA significantly alleviated neuroendocrine dysfunction in PCOS-like mice by restoring the density and coverage of GnRH axonal projections. MA displayed similar therapeutic effects but had less pronounced effects on GnRH axons. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct mechanisms for these two approaches: EA primarily regulates neuroglial plasticity, whereas MA predominantly targets neurotransmitter regulation. Both EA and MA share a common therapeutic target in the integrin family. Functional studies in Rax-CreERT2 transgenic mice confirmed that Itgb1 plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit during EA treatment. Conclusions EA exerts therapeutic effects on PCOS by targeting hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit, with Itgb1 identified as a key factor. MA primarily functions through neurotransmitter regulation. These findings highlight potential hypothalamic targets and provide new insights into the distinct mechanisms of EA and MA.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01068-3Polycystic ovary syndromeElectroacupunctureManual acupunctureGnRH–tanycyte unitItgb1 |
| spellingShingle | Yu Wang Yicong Wang Yuning Chen Wenhan Lu Xiaoyu Tong Jiajia Li Wenhao Gao Rui Huang Wei Hu Yi Feng Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome Chinese Medicine Polycystic ovary syndrome Electroacupuncture Manual acupuncture GnRH–tanycyte unit Itgb1 |
| title | Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome |
| title_full | Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome |
| title_short | Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome |
| title_sort | distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic gnrh tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome |
| topic | Polycystic ovary syndrome Electroacupuncture Manual acupuncture GnRH–tanycyte unit Itgb1 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01068-3 |
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