To observe the effect of ZhuLian’s type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique on sex hormones, insulin resistance and ovarian morphology in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so as to explore its mechanism on regulating endocrine and metabolic dysfunction of PCOS.
Twenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and ZhuLian acupuncture groups (=8 in each group). The PCOS model was established by continuous gavage of letrozole combined with high-fat diet. Rats of the ZhuLian acupuncture group were stimulated at “Guanyuan”(CV4) and bilateral “Guilai”(ST29), “Zusanli”(ST36), “Sanyinjiao”(SP6), and “Fenglong”(ST40) by ZhuLian’s type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique for 30 min, continuously intervented for 28 days. The body weight was measured before and after modeling and after intervention. The ovarian volume was calculated. HE staining was used to observe the changes of ovarian histology. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured by ELISA. LH/FSH ratio and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated.
After modeling, the rats’ body weight and the ovarian volume were increased (<0.05), and the ovaries showed polycystic changes in the model group compared with the control group. And the FINS level, HOMA-IR, LH content and LH/FSH ratio were significantly increased (<0.05), while the FSH level was decreased (<0.05). After the intervention, the rats' body weight and ovarian volume were decreased (<0.05), and a small number of preantral follicles and more antral follicles were observed under microscope, and the levels of LH, LH/FSH, FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased (<0.05), while FSH content was increased (<0.05) in the ZhuLian acupuncture group than in the model group.
ZhuLian’s type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique can improve the endocrine and metabolic disorders in PCOS rats, which may be related to the regulation of endocrine system.

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