Whole Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals How Acupuncture and Moxibustion Increase Pregnancy Rate in Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transplantation

Abstract

Background. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology has been widely used in the therapy of refractory infertility. Previous studies showed that acupuncture can effectively increase the clinical pregnancy rate of IVF-ET. However, the molecular mechanism is unknown. Materials and Methods. In this study, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing for endometrial samples from infertile women who underwent acupuncture and moxibustion therapy or not. Differentially expressed noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and mRNAs were identified and their functions were predicted. Besides, a competitive endogenous RNA network was constructed to further interpret the molecular mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on infecund patients. In addition, real-time PCR was applied to validate the RNA-seq results. Results. We identified 317 differentially expressed mRNAs and 82 ncRNAs in acupuncture and moxibustion therapy group compared with control group. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that these genes were significantly enriched in GO-BP terms associated with cellular transport, such as ATP hydrolysis coupled proton transport, vacuolar acidification, transferrin transport, and proton transport and metabolic process, including small molecule metabolic process and metabolic process. Pathway enrichment analysis enriched 11 terms, including oxidative phosphorylation, synaptic vesicle cycle, mineral absorption, and metabolic pathways. Four of five selected differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time PCR. Conclusion. Our results suggested that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy might increase the pregnancy rate of patients undergoing IVF-ET by the regulation of ncRNAs.

Moxibustion Ameliorates Ovarian Reserve in Rats by Mediating Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3 Anti-Inflammatory Pathway

“…The heat produced by burning Asiatic wormwood is a kind of infrared ray, which can get deep in body through the meridian system, stimulating the immune response [ 27 ]. Clinically, it is extensively used for reproductive disorders, owing to the warm and near-infrared stimulation, which was beneficial to the sex hormone level, ovulation rate, and pregnancy outcome for infertile women [ 17 , 28 ]. Alternatively, moxibustion could attenuate inflammatory impairment via decreasing inflammatory cell infiltration, the anti-inflammatory effects of which have been proved in certain chronic inflammatory response [ 18 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Electroacupuncture Improves Pregnancy Outcomes in Rats with Thin Endometrium by Promoting the Expression of Pinopode‐Related Molecules

“…Based on certain improvements in endometrial receptivity, acupuncture promotes endometrial microcirculation and increases the clinical pregnancy rate of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer [18][19][20]. Acupuncture also positively regulates various molecules related to endometrial receptivity through multiple targets and pathways [21][22][23].…”

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Provided a New Insight into the Molecular Mechanisms of Epididymis Regulating Semen Volume in Drakes

“…In KEGG analysis, most of DEGs were significantly enriched in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, dopaminergic synapse, synaptic vesicle cycle, cholinergic synapse, and Cushing syndrome pathways. Studies have shown that the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction [ 37 ], dopaminergic synapse [ 38 ], synaptic vesicle cycle [ 39 ], cholinergic synapse [ 40 ], and Cushing syndrome pathways [ 41 ] could play important roles in regulating reproductive performance. Further analysis showed that the five pathways have crosstalk, and DEGs enriched in the five pathways were up-regulated in HVS group, suggesting that these DEGs could play an important role in the epididymis regulating semen volume.…”