Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture rehabilitation intervention on the Wntβ-/catenin pathway in osteoporosis (OP) model rats. Methods Forty-eight female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, experimental group, and combination group (acupuncture+Wnt antagonist), with 12 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the ovariectomy method was used in all other groups to establish the OP model rats. Rats in the experimental group received acupuncture treatment, while rats in the combined group received acupuncture treatment and Wnt antagonist DKK1 subcutaneous injection intervention. Rats in the other two groups were fed with conventional feed for 6 consecutive weeks. The morphological changes of bone tissue parameters between each group of rats were compared. ELISA was used to detect changes in serum TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, and MMP-3. TUNEL method was used to analyze the apoptosis of femoral tissue cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of GPX4 protein. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to detect the protein expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin and mRNA levels in cartilage tissue. Results Compared to that in the blank group, the bone tissue morphology in the model group rats showed significant changes, with increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, MMP-3, Wnt3a, and β-catenin protein and mRNA expression (P<0.05) and decreased expression of GPX4 (P<0.05), and severe pathological damage. Compared with the model group, the experimental group showed significant improvement in bone tissue morphology, with decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, MMP-3, Wnt3a, β-catenin protein and mRNA expression (P<0.05) and increased expression of GPX4 (P<0.05), and reduced pathological damage. Compared to that in the experimental group, the bone tissue morphology in the combined group rats underwent certain changes. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, MMP-3, Wnt3a, β-catenin protein and mRNA increased (P<0.05), GPX4 expression decreased (P<0.05), and pathological damage was more severe. Conclusion Acupuncture activates Wnt/β-catenin pathway and inhibits osteoporotic ferroptosis and inflammatory response, relieving bone damage in OP rats. |