The Protective Effects of Acupuncture on Oxidative Stress Caused by Cadmium in the Kidney

Objectives : This study was performed to inquire into the protective effects of acupuncture on oxidative stress caused by cadmium accumulation in the kidney. Methods : Sprague-Dawley male(150±30 g) rats were stabilized for 1 week and divided into 5 groups: normal, control, LR3 acupuncture, BL23 acupuncture and sham acupuncture. For three days experimental groups received oral doses of cadmium 2 mg/kg twice a day. Acupuncture was applied bilaterally at each point 10 times for two weeks. The depth of stimulation was 1 mm at right angles and torsion of acupuncture was produced 2 times per second for 1 minute. The kidneys were extracted and weighed after two weeks, and renal function was confirmed through blood urea nitrogen(BUN). We measured reactive oxygen species of the serum and kidney, and compared expression levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase(Gpx), nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-related factor 2(Nrf-2), heme oxygenase1(HO-1), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Bax and Cytochrome c. Results : The LR3 acupuncture group and BL23 acupuncture group experienced significantly increased kidney weight, and decreased BUN compared to control group. In terms of oxidative stress, the LR3 acupuncture group and BL23 acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced reactive oxygen species compared to the control group. Conclusions : The LR3 acupuncture group and BL23 acupuncture group experienced showed the effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptosis protection. The BL23 acupuncture group was more effective than LR3 acupuncture group.