Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36650561›Full record

ArticleJournal of ovarian research2023

Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats.

Ge Xu, Xuedan Zhao, Zhihao Li, Junwei Hu, Xu Li, Juanjuan Li, Yuelai Chen

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of ovarian research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
18citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
7.1field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

18 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 26 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Ge Xu *Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. xg_lb@163.com.
Xuedan Zhao *Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Zhihao LiLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Junwei HuLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Xu LiLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Juanjuan LiLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Yuelai ChenLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China. chenyuelai@163.com.
Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine · CNShanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine · CN

Funding

This study was supported by the Shanghai Leading Talents Training Program . 2020013
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve hyperandrogenism and increase ovulation frequency in patients with PCOS. Pieces of suggest that androgen activity in the brain is associated with impaired steroid negative feedback in such patients. Studies have shown that EA regulated androgen receptor (AR) expression and local factor levels (such as anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B) in the ovary of PCOS rats. However, few studies have explored the effect of EA on androgen activity in the brain.

objectiveThis study investigated the effect of EA on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit and sex hormone receptor expression in the hypothalamus of PCOS rats.

methodsPCOS signs were induced by letrozole administration, and the induced rats were treated with low-frequency EA at Guan Yuan acupoint (CV4). The effect of EA on PCOS-like signs was evaluated by observing changes in the body weight, ovarian quality, ovarian morphology, and serum sex hormone levels in rats. To explore the mechanism of the effect of EA on PCOS-like signs, the neuropeptide content of the kisspeptin-GnRH/LH neural circuit was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); AR and estrogen receptor α (ERα) coexpression on kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons was determined via triple-label immunofluorescence; and protein and mRNA expression of Kiss1, Ar, Esr1, and kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) was evaluated via western blotting and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

resultsThe results revealed that the estrous cycle of rats in the EA treatment group recovered, and their body and ovary weight reduced; ovarian morphology improved; serum testosterone and LH levels significantly decreased; and kisspeptin, GnRH, and dynorphin levels in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus significantly decreased. Compared with controls, the number of AR/Kiss1-positive cells increased, number of ERα/Kiss1-positive cells decreased, and protein and mRNA expression of Kiss1, Ar, and Kiss1r significantly increased in PCOS rats. However, EA treatment reversed these changes and reduced the expression of Kiss1, Ar, and Kiss1r significantly.

conclusionImprovement in the reproductive hallmarks of PCOS rats via EA may be achieved by regulating the kisspeptin-GnRH/LH circuit via androgen activity attenuation. Thus, the results provide an experimental basis for acupuncture as an adjuvant medical therapy on PCOS.

Indexed as

ElectroacupunctureHyperandrogenismPolycystic Ovary SyndromeAndrogensAnimalsDynorphinsEstrogen Receptor alphaFemaleGonadal Steroid HormonesGonadotropin-Releasing HormoneHumansKisspeptinsLuteinizing HormoneNeurokinin BNeuronsRatsAndrogensDynorphinsEstrogen Receptor alphaGonadal Steroid HormonesGonadotropin-Releasing HormoneKisspeptinsLuteinizing HormoneNeurokinin BReceptors, AndrogenReceptors, Kisspeptin-1RNA, MessengerAndrogen receptorElectroacupunctureGonadotropin releases hormoneKisspeptinPolycystic ovary syndrome

Identifiers

PMID36650561
PMCPMC9844031
OpenAlexW4317036250

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.