Abstract:AIM:To study the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on choroidal blood flow, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)-hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha(HIF-1α)signaling pathway, and ocular biological parameters in form deprivation myopia(FDM)-induced guinea pigs.
METHODS:The guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups:blank control group; FDM group(subjected to form deprivation to simulate myopia development); FDM+EA group(subjected to form deprivation and treated with EA stimulation); FDM+sham acupuncture group(subjected to form deprivation and given EA stimulation). EA treatments were performed at the Taiyang(EX-HN5)acupoint for the FDM+EA group and at sham acupoints in the FDM+sham group. Measurements included refractive error, axial length(AL), corneal curvature, vitreous diameter, choroidal thickness, and vascular density of the choroid layer. Additionally, the expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and HIF-1α mRNA in the sclera were detected.
RESULTS:Eight animals were included in each group.After 4 wk of treatment, the refractive error of the FDM+EA group was significantly reduced compared to the FDM group(P<0.001). The vascular density of the choroid in the FDM+EA group was significantly increased compared to the FDM group(P<0.001). The expression levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and HIF-1α mRNA in the FDM+EA group were significantly reduced compared to the FDM group(P<0.001).
CONCLUSION:EA can improve the vascular density of choroid, antagonize the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR-HIF-1α signaling pathway, effectively improve scleral hypoxia, reduce the diopter of myopic guinea pigs, and play a role in controlling the progression of myopia.
