Effects of Acupuncture Therapy at the Mingmen (GV4) and Zusanli (ST36) Points on the Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 in Mice with Lupus Nephritis Model

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammation involving various factors and autoantibodies targeting cell components, resulting in epigenetic changes. Lupus nephritis is one of the clinical manifestations of SLE. Nowadays, it is known that acupuncture could inhibit disease development, including chronic nephritis, chronic diarrhea, lumbago adnexitis, impotence, enuresis in children, myelitis, and endometritis. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of improving Mingmen (GV4) and Zusanli (ST36) point acupuncture therapy on the expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGFβ1) in lupus nephritis model mice. Method: It was a laboratory experiment on mice (Mus musculus) lupus nephritis model with a post-test only with a control group design. The research samples were divided into four groups, with seven mice in each group, consisting of a control group (KN), a negative control group given pristane (K), treatment group 1 (P1); given pristane and methylprednisolone, and a treatment group 2 (P2); given pristane and acupuncture at the Mingmen (GV4) and Zusanli (ST36) points. This acupuncture needle insertion was carried out thrice a week for 12 insertions during the intervention. The bivariate analysis was done using Kruskal Wallis. Results: There were 28 samples examined in this study. we found that the TGFβ1 expression was high in group P2 (72.86±11.13), after that followed by group P1 (65.71±25.73), N (60.71±25.24), and K (5.88±5.35). According to the bivariate analysis, it showed a significant difference in TGF-β (p= 0.010). Conclusion: Mingmen (GV4) and Zusanli (ST36) point acupuncture therapy improves TGFβ1 expression. Acupuncture therapy triggers inhibition of TGF-β1 expression in lupus nephritis model mice.