<div style="text-align:justify">Background: We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of change in mitochondrial fusion- and fission-related mediators for maintaining cell function through the effects of acupuncture treatment and apply findings to a liver disease model. We focused on the optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) and fission protein 1 (Fis1) genes of rat liver cells.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into a control group (no treatment) and LR2, LR3, LR4 and LR8 groups (acupuncture treatment to those points). Acupuncture was performed on each point for 10 minutes once daily for 4 days. Changes in the mRNA expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-&alpha; (PGC-1&alpha;) and Fis1 were observed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); changes in OPA1, mitofusin-2 (MFN2), mitofusin-1 (MFN1), dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) proteins were observed through western blotting and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressions were observed through immunohistochemistry. 
 
Result: OPA1 decreased in the LR3 and LR8 groups and Fis1 increased in the LR2 and LR4 groups. AMPK and PGC-1&alpha; decreased significantly in all acupuncture groups. eNOS and nNOS expression reduced in all acupuncture groups. Therefore, acupuncture can regulate mitochondrial fusion/fission by influencing the following mediators: AMPK, PGC-1&alpha;, OPA1, Fis1, eNOS and nNOS.</div>

Influence of Acupuncture on Expression of Mitochondrial Fusion and Fission Mediators in Rat Liver