Distinct mechanisms of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture in modulating hypothalamic GnRH–tanycyte unit function of polycystic ovary syndrome

作者：Yu Wang, Yicong Wang, Yuning Chen, Wenhan Lu, Xiaoyu Tong, Jiajia Li, Wenhao Gao, Rui Huang, Wei Hu, Yi Feng · 发表于：Chinese Medicine · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s13020-025-01068-3 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Ovarian function and disorders、Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies、Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex neuroendocrine disorder characterized by dysregulation of the hypothalamus. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of PCOS through improvements in hypothalamic function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are pivotal in regulating hypothalamic endocrine function, whereas tanycyte, a specialized glial cell type, potentially contribute to this process. Methods A dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PCOS-like mouse model was used to investigate the effects of acupuncture. Tissue clearing and three-dimensional (3D) imaging were employed to visualize the hypothalamic GnRH neuronal network and assess postacupuncture modifications. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify changes in the gene profiles associated with EA and MA. Rax-CreER T2 transgenic mice were utilized to investigate the molecular targets of EA in tanycytes. Results EA significantly alleviated neuroendocrine dysfunction in PCOS-like mice by restoring the density and coverage of GnRH axonal projections. MA displayed similar therapeutic effects but had less pronounced effects on GnRH axons. Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct mechanisms for these two approaches: EA primarily regulates neuroglial plasticity, whereas MA predominantly targets neurotransmitter regulation. Both EA and MA share a common ...