The Effect of Hormones of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-target Gland Axes in a Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome Model

Kidney-yang deficiency syndrome(KYDS)is a diagnostic pattern in the traditional Chinese medicine.Studies have shown that KYDS is related to the functional disorder of hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axes.The standard procedure used to mimic KYDS is the injection of a high dose of exogenous glucocorticoid(hydrocortisone and corticosterone).Such a model showed symptoms such as exhaustion,body twists,cold limbs,lying crowded together,decreased rectal temperature,sexual dysfunction,decreased reaction speed,reduced spontaneous activity,hair loss,loss of appetite,and weight loss.Moreover,the model manifested an imbalance in mutual control among the hormones of the pituitary-target gland axes,including adrenocorticotrophic hormone,CORT,CRH,thyroid-stimulating hormone,triiodothyronine,thyroxine,T,E2,follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone,and 17-OHCS.

长蛇灸对肾阳虚大鼠HPA轴及肝脏11β-HSD1的影响

Objective:To observe the effects of long-snake moxibustion on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical(HPA)axis and hepatic 11β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 1(11β-HSD1)expression in rats with kidney yang deficiency to provide a basis for later in-depth exploration of the action mechanism of longsnakemoxibustion on suchrats.Methods:Fifteen SPF-grade,male,SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,and a long-snake moxibustion treatment group,with five rats in each group.Hydrocortisone powder(30 mg/kg)was administered by gavage at a volume of 10 mL/kg to prepare the rat model of kidney yang deficiency.After successful modeling,the rats in the long-snake moxibustion treatment group underwent long-snake moxibustion treatment every other day along the governor vessel from Dazhui(GV14)to Shenshu(BL23),for a period of 14 days.The remaining two groups were secured in the same way as the long-snake moxibustion treatment group,although they did not receive any treatment.The body weight,rectal temperature,and spontaneous activity count of the rats,as well as serum levels of corticotropin releasing hormone(CRH)and corticosterone(CORT)were detected by ELISA before modeling,after modeling,and after treatment.The amount of 11β-HSD1 protein in rat liver was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.Results:Compared with the rats in the blank control group,those in the model group exhibited a significant decrease in the trend of body weight growth and in rectal temperature(P<0.05),as well as a slight yet non-significant decrease in spontaneous activity count(P>0.05);compared with the rats in the model group,the rats in the treatment group exhibited a significant increase in rectal temperature(P<0.05)and in spontaneous activity count(P<0.05).Moreover,after 14 days of treatment,compared with the rats in the blank,the rats in the model group exhibited a significant decrease in serum cORT content(P<0.05)and in the expression of 11β-HSD1 in the liver(P<0.05),as well as a slight yet non-significant decrease in serum CRH content(P>0.05);compared with the rats in the model group,the rats in the treatment group exhibited a significant increase in serum CRH content(P<0.05)and in the expression of 11β-HSD1 in the liver(P<0.05),as well as a slight yet non-significant increase in serum CORT content(P>0.05).Conclusion:Long-snake moxibustion can increase the rectal temperature and spontaneous activity count of rats with kidney yang deficiency,improve the function of the HPA axis,and increase the expression of 11β-HSD1 in the liver.