Research Article

Electroacupuncture Improves IBS Visceral Hypersensitivity by Inhibiting the Activation of Astrocytes in the Medial Thalamus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Figure 4

Electroacupuncture regulates GFAP gene and protein expression in the medial thalamus. The levels of GFAP mRNA and protein in the MT of rats with visceral hypersensitivity were significantly upregulated by colorectal irritation. EA and FCA clearly downregulated GFAP mRNA and protein levels in the MT of rats with visceral hypersensitivity. (a) Immunohistochemical staining of GFAP expression in MT. Scale bar: 50 μm. (b) The average integrated optical density of the GFAP-positive target. (c) Representative western blot bands of GFAP in the MT. (d) Relative expression of GFAP in the MT. (e) Relative expression of GFAP mRNA in the MT. n = 5; and vs. NC; and vs. MC.
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