Name: MANOELA FERREIRA MARTINS
Publication date: 09/10/2024
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANDRESSA BOLSONI LOPES | Examinador Interno |
| PATRICK WANDER ENDLICH | Examinador Externo |
Summary: Introduction: During the climacteric period, due to hypoestrogenism, women
face an increased risk of developing or worsening cardiovascular diseases
(CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, and obesity.
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a technique that consists of applying electrical stimuli
to specific points on the body. The PC6 point, located on the pericardium
meridian, exerts cardioprotective effects, improving hemodynamics,
microcirculation, and energy metabolism. Objective: This study aimed to
evaluate the effects of EA on blood pressure and white adipose tissue (WAT) in
normotensive and hypertensive ovariectomized rats. Method: This experimental
study was conducted with Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) and spontaneously
hypertensive rats (isogenic rats). Hemodynamic data were recorded using caudal
plethysmography in three phases: on the day the animals were acquired, after
ovariectomy, and 1 hour after the 7th day of electroacupuncture treatment.
Electrical stimulation was applied through a needle connected to an
electrostimulator (EL608) for 20 minutes, once a day, over a period of 7 days at
the two PC6 points. On the 8th day after EA treatment, the animals were
euthanized after an 8-hour fasting period. Mesenteric and parametrial adipose
tissues were removed, weighed, and used to quantify pro-inflammatory and anti-
inflammatory cytokines (TNF- and IL-10) using the ELISA method. Results: The
7-day EA treatment at the PC6 points reduced systolic blood pressure, fasting
blood glucose, and the weight of mesenteric WAT in normotensive and
hypertensive ovariectomized rats. Additionally, it increased IL-10 and decreased
TNF- in normotensive rats, and prevented total body weight gain and visceral
WAT in hypertensive rats. Conclusion: These findings suggest a new alternative
for metabolic, cardiovascular, and neuroendocrine modulation, leading to a
reduction in metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions associated with post-
menopause.
