Mechanism of intervention of medicine combined with mild moxibustion on hypothyroidism rat model

Objective:To explore the intervention effect of medicine combined with mild moxibustion on immune factor and Na/I symporter(NIS)in hypothyroidism rat model.Methods:The model was successfully made by intragastric administration of propylthiouracil(PTU)solution medicine and medicine combined with mild moxibustion groups were given levothyroxine sodium suspension 60μg/kg body weight by gavage,once a day.In the medicine combined with mild moxibustion group,mild moxibustion was applied in“Dazhui”,“Mingmen”,“Pishu”,“Shenshu”,and 10 minutes per point,once a day,and one day off every six days;four weeks in a row.The model group and medicine was fixed in the same way as the medicine combined with mild moxibustion group.The blank group received no treatment.The contents of thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TSH),tatalthyroxine(TT4),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),thyroglobulin antibodies(TGAb),Interleukin-4(IL-4)and Interleukin-23(IL-23)in serum were determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).The content of NIS and the expression level of NISmRNA in thyroid tissues of each group were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction(R-T PCR).Results:Compared with the blank group,the contents of TSH,TPOAb,TGAb and IL-23 in the serum of rats in the model group were increased,the contents of IL-4 and TT4 were decreased,and the contents of NIS and NISmRNA in thyroid tissue were decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the contents of TSH,TPOAb,TGAb and IL-23 in serum of medicine group and medicine combined with mild moxibustion group were decreased,while the contents of IL-4 and TT4 were increased;the NIS content and NISmRNA expression in thyroid tissues were increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).Compared with the medicine group,NISmRNA expression in thyroid tissues of medicine combined with mild moxibustion groups was increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Medicine combined with mild moxibustion can decrease the contents of TPOAb,TGAb and IL-23,and increase the content of IL-4,increasing the content and expression of NIS to interfere with the hypothyroidism rat model.

Moxibustion upregulates hippocampal progranulin expression

In China,moxibustion is reported to be useful and has few side effects for chronic fatigue syndrome,but its mechanisms are largely unknown.More recently,the focus has been on the wealth of information supporting stress as a factor in chronic fatigue syndrome,and largely concerns dysregulation in the stress-related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.In the present study,we aimed to determine the effect of moxibustion on behavioral symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome rats and examine possible mechanisms.Rats were subjected to a combination of chronic restraint stress and forced swimming to induce chronic fatigue syndrome.The acupoints Guanyuan（CV4） and Zusanli（ST36,bilateral） were simultaneously administered moxibustion.Untreated chronic fatigue syndrome rats and normal rats were used as controls.Results from the forced swimming test,open field test,tail suspension test,real-time PCR,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and western blot assay showed that moxibustion treatment decreased m RNA expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus,and adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels in plasma,and markedly increased progranulin m RNA and protein expression in the hippocampus.These findings suggest that moxibustion may relieve the behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome,at least in part,by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and upregulating hippocampal progranulin.

Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on chromatin remodeling-related enzymes in the colon tissue of rats with Crohn disease

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on chromatin remodeling complex core catalytic subunit of Brahma-related gene 1(Brg1),histone deacetylase(HDAC)3,HDAC9,and males absent on the first(MOF)in the colon tissue of rats with Crohn disease(CD).Methods:Using the random number table method,60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups,including a normal group,a model group,an acupuncture group,a medicinal cake-insulated moxibustion group,and an acupuncture-moxibustion group,with 12 rats in each group.CD rat models were prepared using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)in all groups except the normal group.The normal and model groups received no interventions.In the acupuncture group,rats were intervened with acupuncture at bilateral Zusanli(ST36)and Shangjuxu(ST37),20 min/session,once a day.The medicinal cake-insulated moxibustion group received medicinal cake-insulated moxibustion at Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25)with 2 cones per point per session,once a day.The acupuncture-moxibustion group received both acupuncture and moxibustion interventions simultaneously.Each intervention was performed for 10 consecutive days.Observations included general condition,disease activity,macroscopic damage,and pathological changes in the rat’s colon tissue.Realtime fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA expression of chromatin remodeling-related enzymes Brg1,HDAC3,and HDAC9,while Western blotting detected the protein expression of Brg1,HDAC3,HDAC9,and MOF in rat’s colon tissue.Results:The model group showed significantly increased diarrhea score,occult blood score,macroscopic damage score of colon tissue,and colon macroscopic damage index(CMDI)score,as well as elevated mRNA expression levels of HDAC3 and HDAC9,protein expression levels of HDAC3,HDAC9,and MOF,and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of Brg1 compared to the normal group(P<0.01).In contrast,compared to the model group,the diarrhea score,occult blood score,macroscopic damage score,CMDI score,mRNA expression levels of HDAC3 and HDAC9,and protein expression levels of HDAC3,HDAC9,and MOF were significantly reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Brg1 were significantly increased(P<0.01)in the acupuncture group,the medicinal cake-insulated moxibustion group,and the acupuncture-moxibustion group.Conclusion:Both medicinal cake-insulated moxibustion and acupuncture,either used alone or in combination,can regulate the abnormal expression of chromatin remodeling-related enzymes Brg1,HDAC3,HDAC9,and MOF in the colon tissue,thus reducing colon inflammation in CD rats.

Treatment of 78 patients with knee osteoarthritis by acupuncture, moxibustion, and tuina

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of triple-therapy in treatment of knee osteoarthritis（KOA）. Methods Meridian sinew needling, tendonsoothing maneuver and medicine moxa sticks were applied for treatment of 78 patients with knee osteoarthritis, and clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment for two weeks by reference to Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis. Results The therapy was markedly effective in 28 cases（35.8%）, and effective in 45 cases（57.8%）, with the total effective rate of 93.6%. Conclusion Meridian sinew needling, tendon-soothing maneuver and medicine moxa sticks promote each other mutually, and triple-therapy is confirmed to be one of the effectively complex treatment methods in treatment of KOA.

Effect of moxibustion on expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in colon of rats with Crohn's disease

Objective： To observe the effect of moxibustion therapy on heme oxygenase-1（HO-1） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3（MCP-3） protein expressions in the colonic mucosa of rats with Crohn＇s disease（CD）, and to explore the intestinal mucosal immune mechanism of moxibustion therapy in treating CD. Methods： The CD rat model was established using the internationally accepted Morris method. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a mild moxibustion group, a cigarette moxibustion group and a hot compress group, which were compared with the normal group. Except the normal group and the model group, rats in the other groups accepted different moxibustion therapies on bilateral Tianshu（ST 25）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was conducted and the pathological changes of the colon were observed under light microscope; the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in rat＇s colonic mucosa were determined by immunohisto-chemistry. Results： Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed mucosal defect, villus destruction or loss, submucosal congestion and edema, glandular destruction or disappearance, reduced goblet cells, ulcer formation, significantly increased positive target area and positive target integral optical density of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expression（all P〈0.01）. After treatment, compared with the model group, colonic mucosa was significantly improved in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group, which mainly showed that the intestinal glands were arranged regularly, ulcer surfaces were covered by the neoformative epitheliums, or intestinal ulcers were replaced by the nascent granulation tissue, and submucosal edema was alleviated, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. The total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat＇s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were decreased（all P〈0.01）. Compared with the cigarette moxibustion group and the hot compress group, the total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat＇s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were significantly decreased（all P〈0.01） in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group. Conclusion： Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can significantly improve the inflammatory response of colonic mucosa in CD rats. It can down-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 proteins in the colonic mucosa of CD rats, which may be one of the mechanism in intestinal mucosal immunity caused by moxibustion therapy.

Experimental observation of effects of acupoints,cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature

Objective:To observe the effects of acupoints,cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature,and to provide references for the clinical standardization of moxibustion amount.Methods:The 42 big-ear white rabbits were divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method,a 2-cone direct moxibustion group,a 2-cone direct moxibustion group,a 3-cone direct moxibustion group,a 1-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,a 2-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a 3-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,with 7 rabbits in each group.Shenque(CV 8);Shenshu(BL 23)and Zusanli(ST 36)were used in each group,but the moxibustion methods,cone numbers and durations of moxibustion were different・Rabbits in each group received moxibustion once every other day for 5 times in total.During the intervention,a thermoelectricity coupled probe and a temperature recorder were used to record the real-time-acupoint skin temperature and the temperature at different time points,so as to observe,analyze and process the real-time changes in the temperature difference between the surface and inside of acu point skin.Results:For herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion,the best temperature for cone changing was(46.38±0.51)℃when the highest surface temperature was(49.20±0.52)℃;the multi-factor comparison of acupoint×cone number×time and acupoint×moxibustion method×time showed that time×acupoint,time×moxibustion method and cone number×acupoint had interactive effects(all P<0.05).Comparing skin temperature differences between different cone numbers at the same acupoint,Shenque(CV 8)on the 1st and the 5th days,Shenshu(BL 23)on the 3rd and the 7th days,Zusanli(ST 36)on the 1st and the 9th days of experiment showed statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).The skin temperature comparison of different moxibustion methods at the same acupoint all had statistical differences(all Pv0.05),except for Shenque(CV 8)before moxibustion,Shenshu(BL 23)before moxibustion and on the 5th day;Zusanli(ST 36)only showed statistical differences on the 5th and 7th days(both P<0.05).The skin temperature differences of different acupoints after moxibustion in the 1-cone,2-cone and 3-cone groups were statistically different(all P<0.05);direct moxibustion and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at different acupoints were all statistically different(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Cone changing temperature under the same specifications of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was confirmed.Temperature differenee between surface and inside of different acupoint skin at the same maximum temperature was significantly different due to the cone numbers and moxibustion methods,which showed the highest at Shenshu(BL 23),the sec ond at Shenque(CV 8),and the lowest at Zusanli(ST 36).The in fluence of acupoint factor should be considered to determine the quantitative indicators of moxibustion.

Influence of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on lumbar functions and inflammatory factors in patients with lumbar disc herniation due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis

Objective To observe the efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation(LDH)due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis and observe the influence of this method on lumbar functions and inflammatory factors in patients with this condition.Methods A total of 120 LDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups,including a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,a flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a Western medication group,with 40 patients in each group.The patients in the Western medication group were treated with diflunisal tablets,0.5 g per dose,2 doses a day.Those in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group at Back-Shu Points and Jiaji(EX-B2)Points once a day.Those in the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group were treated with the same methods as in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,except that the herbal cake was replaced by a flour cake.All the patients were treated for 10 d.After treatment,the scores of the visual analog scale(VAS)and Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)and the changes of the interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and substance P(SP)levels were observed,and the efficacy was evaluated.Results After treatment,the VAS score and the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and SP were lower than those before treatment,and the JOA score was higher than that before treatment in the three groups,indicating intra-group statistical significance(P<0.05).The VAS score and the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and SP of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were lower than those of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medication group,while the JOA score of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was higher than that of the other two groups,indicating inter-group statistical significance(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group was 92.5%,higher than that of the flour cake-partitioned moxibustion group(80.0%)and the Western medication group(72.5%),indicating inter-group statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion On the basis of Western oral medication,additional herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can alleviate the pain and improve the lumbar functions in patients with LDH due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis.The efficacy of the integrated method is better than that of either flour cake-partitioned moxibustion or Western medication alone,which may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factors.

Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion in improving tight junctions of intestinal epithelium in Crohn disease mediated by TNF-α-NF-κB-MLCK pathway

Objective:To explore the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM)on tight junctions(TJs)of intestinal epithelial cells in Crohn disease(CD)mediated by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)-myosin-light-chain kinase(MLCK)pathway.Methods:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a model control(MC)group,an HPM group and a mesalazine(MESA)group,with 12 rats in each group.Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)was administered to establish CD models.When the model was confirmed a success,the HPM group rats were treated with HPM at Tianshu(ST 25)and Qihai(CV 6),while the MESA group rats were given MESA solution by lavage.When the intervention finished,the colonic epithelial tissues were separated,purified and cultured in each group to establish the intestinal epithelial barrier model in vitro,and TNF-αwas added(100 ng/mL)in the culture medium and maintained for 24 h to establish an increased epithelial permeability model.Transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)was used to examine the permeability of the barrier;Western blot was used to observe the expressions of the proteins related to TJs of intestinal epithelial cells mediated by TNF-α-NF-κB-MLCK pathway;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expressions and distributions of tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium.Results:After TNF-αinduction,compared with the MC+TNF-αgroup,the TEER value increased significantly in the HPM+TNF-αand MESA+TNF-αgroups(both P<0.001);the expressions of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)p65,MLCK,myosin light chain(MLC),tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6)and receptor interaction protein-1(RIP1)decreased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.05),and the expression of zinc finger protein A20(A20)increased significantly(P<0.01);the expressions of occludin,claudin-1,zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1)and F-actin also increased significantly(all P<0.01).Compared with the MESA+TNF-αgroup,the expressions of MLC,occludin,claudin-1,ZO-1 and F-actin increased significantly in the HPM+TNF-αgroup(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion:HPM can protect or repair the damage of intestinal epithelial barrier in CD rats,which may be achieved through modulating the abnormal TJs in intestinal epithelium mediated by TNF-α-NF-κB-MLCK pathway.

Regulatory effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on cholesterol reverse transport nuclear receptor LXRα in rabbits with atherosclerosis

Objective: To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver X receptor alpha (LXRa) in rabbits with atherosclerosis. Methods: Thirty-six male New Zea la nd rabbits were ran domly divided into a no rmal group, a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a simvastatin group according to the random number table method, with 9 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in the model group, the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were modeled by high fat feeding method which took 12 weeks. After verification of the successful model, rabbits in the normal group were not treated, in the model group were bun died, in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustio n group were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, and those in the simvastatin group were treated with simvastatin, all for a total of 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the aorta and liver were observed for pathological changes;serum and liver were used to detect lipid levels;Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect LXRa protein and mRNA expression levels, respectively. Results: Compared with the normal group, the structure of aorta was disordered, the wall was rough and thick, the intima was unsmooth, and the vascular smooth muscle cells were arranged closely and disorderly in the model group, which was consistent with the characteristics of the rabbit model of aortic atherosclerosis. Compared with the model group, the aortic structure was clear;the degree of hepatocyte degeneration was reduced, the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), the high-density lipoprotein level was elevated (P<0.01), and the total liver cholesterol was decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the rabbits of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group;compared with the model group, the protein (PvO.Ol or P<0.05) and mRNA (P<0.01) expressions of rabbit LXRa in the herbal cake-partiti oned moxibusti on group and the simvastati n group were in creased. Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can improve the aortic and hepatic lesions, regulate blood lipid and liver lipid levels, in crease the expressi on of liver cholesterol reverse tran sport nu clear receptor LXRa, promote reverse cholesterol transport in the rabbits with aortic atherosclerosis, therefore produces an antiatherogenic effect.

Investigating the influence of moxibustion on colonic mucosal barrier in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier of rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Methods:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group,with 20 rats in each group.Rats in the modeling group were subjected to preparing experimental UC models by drinking 4%DSS for seven consecutive days.Two modeled rats and two normal rats were randomly selected for model identification.After the success of UC model was confirmed,the remaining 18 modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups,a model group,a model+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a model+mild moxibustion group,with six rats in each group;the remaining normal rats were randomly divided into three groups,a normal group,a normal+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a normal+mild moxibustion group,with six rats in each group.After 7 d of intervention with the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion or the mild moxibustion,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining technique was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue under a light microscope;Western blotting and/or immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,junction adhesion molecular 1(JAM1),mucin 2(MUC2),and transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in rat colon tissue.Results:Compared with the normal group,the colon tissue was severely damaged,the pathological score was significantly increased,and the protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01);while there were no significant differences in the colonic histopathological score,protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 in the normal+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the normal+mild moxibustion group(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the model+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the model+mild moxibustion group showed repaired colon tissue,ulcer healing,significantly reduced pathological score,and significantly increased protein expression levels of JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1(P<0.05);the Occludin protein expression level in the colon tissue of the model+mild moxibustion group was increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Neither herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion nor mild moxibustion influences the colonic histopathology and intestinal mucosal barrier-related protein expression in the normal rats;both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can up-regulate the protein expression levels of JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 in the colon tissue of UC rats.Mild moxibustion can up-regulate Occludin protein expression.This may be a mechanism of moxibustion in reducing colonic mucosa inflammation in UC.

Governor Vessel Moxibustion:Ancient Chinese Medical Technology with New Vitality

Moxibustion is an ancient therapeutic technique used in Chinese medicine. Governor Vessel moxibustion（GVM） was developed from long snake moxibustion, a popular technique used in China＇s Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, and is significantly more effective than general moxibustion. We aimed to review GVM, including its theoretical basis, choices of moxibustion points and materials, operation procedures, clinical applications, and contraindications. This information could increase the appropriate use of GVM and support further in-depth research.

Effects of moxibustion on the P2X7R/STAT3/VEGF pathway in rats with colitis-associated colon cancer

Objective:To observe the effects of herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion on the growth of colon tumors in rats with colitis-associated colon cancer(CACC),and explore the mechanism of moxibustion intervening CACC through the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7(P2X7R)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.Methods:A total of 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected.According to the random number table method,6 rats were selected as the normal group.The remaining 20 rats were injected intraperitoneally with azoxymethane(AOM)combined with oral dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)to prepare the CACC model.After the model was successfully established,2 rats were randomly selected for model identification.The remaining 18 rats which were successfully modeled were randomly divided into a model group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion group and a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group,with 6 rats in each group.Moxibustion intervention was performed in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group at Qihai(CV 6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25).Moxibustion was performed twice at each point each time,once a day,at a 1-day interval after 6 consecutive interventions,for a total of 30 interventions.After intervention,the colon tumor load,pathological change and histopathological score were observed.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of VEGF,P2X7R,phospho-STAT3(p-STAT3),and nuclear factor-kappa B p65(NF-κB p65)proteins in rat colon tissue.Western blot was used to detect the levels of p-STAT3 and NF-κB p65 proteins in rat colon tissue.Results:Compared with the normal group,the colon tumor load and histopathological score in the model group were significantly increased(both P<0.001),and different grades of dysplasia were observed in colon tissue from the model group,reaching the degree of adenocarcinoma;the expression level of P2X7R protein in colon tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.001),and the expression levels of p-STAT3,NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins were significantly increased(all P<0.001)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the colon tumor load,colon histopathological score and the levels of p-STAT3,NF-κB p65 and VEGF proteins in colon tissue were significantly decreased(all P<0.05)in the herb-partitioned moxibustion group and the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group while the expression levels of P2X7R protein in colon tissue were significantly increased(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Both herb-partitioned moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion can reduce the colon tumor load in CACC rats and delay the progression of colon adenomas.The mechanism may be mediated by the P2X7R/STAT3 pathway to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation,thereby reducing VEGF protein expression.

Effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expression of thyroid autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rats with autoimmune thyroiditis

Objective:To observe the anti-inflammatory effect,as well as the effect on the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B(LC3B)and Beclin-1 of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT).Methods:Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group.The EAT rat model was prepared by a combination of antigen immunization plus iodine agent induction.After the model was prepared,rats in the modeling group were randomly and equally divided into a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group.In the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,moxibustion was alternately applied to two groups of points[Dazhui(GV14)-Mingmen(GV4)and Tiantu(CV22)-Guanyuan(CV4)],and the treatment continued for 30 d.Rats in the normal and model groups were only fixed identically without intervention.Histopathological manifestations of thyroid glands were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining;the concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies(TPOAb),thyroglobulin antibodies(TGAb),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue.Results:There were massive follicular destruction,lymphocytic infiltration,and interstitial fibrous tissue hyperplasia of the thyroid glands in the model group.Some follicles of the thyroid glands were destroyed with few lymphocyte infiltrations and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the moxibustion group.Compared with the normal group,the concentrations of serum TPOAb,TGAb,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αwere increased in the model rats(P<0.05);the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were reduced in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the concentrations of serum TPOAb,TGAb,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αwere reduced in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group(P<0.05);the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were increased in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue was negatively correlated with the serum levels of TPOAb and TGAb.Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion reduces the inflammatory response in the thyroid glands of EAT rats and lowers the levels of serum TPOAb and TGAb.This may be related to the regulation of mRNA and protein expression of the autophagy-associated factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rat thyroid tissue.

Study on the regulatory effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on colonic CD206,AMPK and TSC2 in rats with Crohn disease

Objective:To explore the mechanism of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in Crohn disease(CD)treatment by observing the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on protein expressions of colonic M2 macrophage marker CD206,AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)2.Methods:Twenty-six specific pathogen free male rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group.The CD model was prepared by enema with the mixture of 5%(W/V)2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)and 50%ethanol at 2:1(volume ratio).After the model was successfully prepared,rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai(CV 6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25).Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat colon;immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of colonic CD206 protein;Western blot,immuno fluorescence,and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTqPCR)technologies were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of colonic AMPK and TSC2.Results:Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group showed damaged colonic mucosa,missing of the epithelial layer;thickened submucosa,vascular proliferation,massive infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes,and cracked ulcers that reached the muscle layer.Rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group showed reduced intestinal inflammation and healing intestinal epithelium ulcers.Compared with the normal group,rat colonic CD206 protein expression,and the protein and mRNA expressions of colonic AMPK and TSC2 were decreased in the model group(all P<0.Ol);compared with the model group,rat colonic CD206 protei n expression was in creased(P<Q.Q1),as well as the protein and mRNA expressions of AMPK and TSC2 in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can reduce intestinal inflammation in CD rats,increase colonic CD206 protein expression,and up-regulate the protein and mRNA expressions of colonic AMPK and TSC2.

Clinical study on depression differentiated as yang deficiency treated with the combined therapy of ginger-isolated moxibustion and western medicine

Objective To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on depression differentiated as yang deficiency between the combined therapy of ginger isolated moxibustion and escitalopram and the simple application escitalopram.Methods Eighty patients of depression differentiated as yang deficiency were randomized into an observa-