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-Endorphin Concentrations in
Hypothalamus and Plasma in Rats with Steroid-Induced
Polycystic Ovaries; Effect of Low Frequency Electro-
Acupuncture
Abstract
The human endocrinological disorder polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of reproductive
failure. Even though the cause of PCOS is unknown,
hormone and immune disturbances as well as hyperactivity
in the sympathetic nervous system are likely to be
involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The present
study was undertaken to elucidate if rats with estradiol
valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) have
altered 
-endorphin concentrations in the
hypothalamus and in plasma and if they have alterations
in circulating immune cell populations and the activity.
Repeated low frequency (2Hz) electro-acupuncture (EA)
treatments are known to modulate the release of
-endorphin, immune responses and the activity in
the autonomic nervous system. We therefore also
investigated the effect of EA treatments on the
-endorphin and the immune systems. Low frequency
EA was given 12 times, 25 min each, over 30 days with
start 2-3 days after i.m. injection of EV. The
-endorphin concentrations in the hypothalamus and
in plasma as well as the frequencies of CD4+ T-cells and
CD8+ T-cells were significantly lower in EV-injected
control rats as compared to oil injected control rats.
Repeated EA treatments in EV-injected rats significantly
increased -endorphin concentrations in the
hypothalamus. In conclusion, these findings show that
both the -endorphinergic and the immune system are
significantly impaired in rats with steroid induced PCO
and that repeated EA treatments can restore some of these
disturbances.
Key words:
Female Reproductive Tract •
Immunology •
Central Nervous System •
Hypothalamus •
Neuropeptides
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  L. Manneras, I. H. Jonsdottir, A. Holmang, M. Lonn, and E. Stener-Victorin Low-Frequency Electro-Acupuncture and Physical Exercise Improve Metabolic Disturbances and Modulate Gene Expression in Adipose Tissue in Rats with Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Endocrinology, July 1, 2008; 149(7): 3559 - 3568. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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L. Manneras, S. Cajander, A. Holmang, Z. Seleskovic, T. Lystig, M. Lonn, and E. Stener-Victorin A New Rat Model Exhibiting Both Ovarian and Metabolic Characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Endocrinology, August 1, 2007; 148(8): 3781 - 3791. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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