■早泄(PE)与可通过电针(EA)改变的异常大脑活动有关。
■在这项研究中,我们旨在探索EA治疗PE的主要病理机制。
■根据交配行为期间的射精频率,将六周龄雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠分为PE组(n=8)和对照组(n=8)。所有大鼠在足三里穴位(ST-36)进行EA4周。在EA之前和之后收集磁共振成像数据。
■行为参数,血浆去甲肾上腺素水平,低频波动的小振幅(FALFF),并对区域同质性(ReHo)进行了评价。
■与对照组相比,PE组射精次数更多,潜伏期更短。EA之后,PE组射精频率降低,射精潜伏期增加,对照组无变化。PE组去甲肾上腺素水平高于对照组,与射精频率呈正相关,与射精潜伏期呈负相关。与对照组相比,PE组显示右纹状体的fALFF较低,脑干的ReHo较高。EA之后,对照组显示右侧纹状体的fALFF减少,左嗅球,和背侧穹窿和右侧椎间核的ReHo增加,以及左纹状体的ReHo减少,前边缘系统,右基底前脑区,隔区,和嗅觉灯泡,而模型组右下丘脑区fALFF增加,左苍白球和右基底前脑区域的fALFF减少,右足间核的ReHo增加,以及左纹状体的ReHo减少,嗅觉灯泡,基底前脑区域,齿状回,右侧颗粒异常岛叶皮层,和纹状体。与EA后的对照相比,模型组右侧下丘脑区ReHo增加,右侧颗粒异常岛叶皮质ReHo减少。
■这些发现可能会增强对体育的理解,并有助于新的,PE的靶向治疗。
■治疗效果可能是通过EA抑制与射精行为有关的大脑区域的活动来实现的。然而,由于对照组使用假针刺的某些疗效,针刺的疗效可能被低估。
■总而言之,ST-36时EA可降低大鼠射精频率,延长射精潜伏期,这可能是通过该治疗对脑活动的影响实现的.
UNASSIGNED: Premature ejaculation (PE) is linked with abnormal brain activity that is modifiable by electroacupuncture (EA).
UNASSIGNED: In this study we aimed to explore the central pathological mechanism underlying EA in treating PE.
UNASSIGNED: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a PE group (n = 8) and a control group (n = 8) according to ejaculatory frequency during copulatory behavior. All rats underwent EA at the Zusanli acupoint (ST-36) for 4 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before and after EA.
UNASSIGNED: The behavioral parameters, plasma norepinephrine levels, fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF), and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were evaluated.
UNASSIGNED: The PE group ejaculated more times with shorter latency compared with controls. After EA, the ejaculation frequency of the PE group decreased, and the ejaculation latency period increased, with no changes observed in the control group. Norepinephrine levels were higher in the PE group than in the controls and were positively correlated with ejaculation frequency and negatively correlated with ejaculation latency. The PE group showed lower fALFF in the right striatum and higher ReHo in the brainstem compared with controls. After EA, controls showed decreased fALFF in the right striatum, left olfactory bulb, and dorsal fornix and increased ReHo in the right interpeduncular nucleus, as well as decreased ReHo in the left striatum, prelimbic system, right basal forebrain region, septal region, and olfactory bulb, while the model group exhibited increased fALFF in the right hypothalamic region, decreased fALFF in the left globus pallidum and right basal forebrain region and increased ReHo in the right interpeduncular nucleus, as well as decreased ReHo in the left striatum, olfactory bulb, basal forebrain region, dentate gyrus, right dysgranular insular cortex, and striatum. Compared with the controls after EA, the model group showed increased ReHo of the right hypothalamic region and decreased ReHo of the right dysgranular insular cortex.
UNASSIGNED: These findings might enhance the understanding of PE and contribute to new, targeted therapies for PE.
UNASSIGNED: The therapeutic effects might be achieved by EA inhibiting the activity in brain regions involved in ejaculatory behavior. However, the curative effect of acupuncture might be underestimated due to some curative effects of sham acupuncture used in the control group.
UNASSIGNED: In conclusion, the ejaculatory frequency of rats may be reduced and ejaculation latency could be extended by EA at ST-36, which might be achieved by the effects of this treatment on brain activity.