Basic Research
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2007; 13(15): 2174-2178
Published online Apr 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i15.2174
Effect of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosa cells
Shou-Xiang Yi, Yan Peng, Xiao-Rong Chang, Na Peng, Jie Yan, Yap-Ping Lin
Shou-Xiang Yi, Yan Peng, Xiao-Rong Chang, Na Peng, Jie Yan, Yap-Ping Lin, The Institute of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30572310, and the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 program), No. 2005-CB523306-9
Correspondence to: Shou-Xiang Yi, Institute of Acupuncture and Massage, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 113 Shaoshan Middle Road, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China. yishouxiang@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-731-5381161 Fax: +86-731-5381159
Received: January 2, 2007
Revised: January 20, 2006
Accepted: February 8, 2007
Published online: April 21, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To observe the effects of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosal cell in rats with stress-induced ulcer, and to analyze the relationship between those effects and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70).

METHODS: Sixty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups, namely group A, B, C and D. The animal model of stress ulcer was established by water immersion and restraint stress. The rats in group A, B, and D served as the restraint, model, and non-acupoint controls, respectively, while those in group C received moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points. Immunohistochemical methodology was used to detect the expression of HSP70, apoptosis index (AI, × 10-6/μm2) and proliferation index (PCNA-LI, × 10-6/μm2). The mucosal expression of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) was detected by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS: Moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points significantly decreased the gastric injury and the apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells, while markedly increased the mucosal expression of TGF-α and HSP70 as well as the proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Compared with group A, ulcer index (UI) (26.8 ± 9.8 vs 12.0 ± 5.9, P < 0.01), AI (9.6 ± 4.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.6, P < 0.05) and expression of HSP70 (9.6 ± 4.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.6, P < 0.05) were significantly increased, but the content of TGF-α (104.7 ± 51.2 pg/mL vs 254.0 ± 86.9 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and PCNA-LI (6.9 ± 4.7 vs 14.9 ± 4.6, P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in group B. However, ulcer index values (UI) and AI were obviously lower in group C compared to groups B and D (14.1 ± 5.4 vs 26.8 ± 9.8 and 26.2 ± 7.7, P < 0.01; 3.0 ± 1.6 vs 9.6 ± 4.2 and 8.2 ± 5.2, P < 0.05, respectively), but content of TGF-α (237.0 ± 72.6 pg/mL vs 104.7 ± 51.2 pg/mL and 154.1 ± 61.3 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and expression of HSP70 (0.13 ± 0.03 vs 0.08 ± 0.06 and 0.06 ± 0.04, P < 0.05) were higher in group C. Furthermore, the PCNA-LI was significantly higher in group C than in group B (21.6 ± 4.1 vs 6.9 ± 4.7, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points has a protective effect on rats gastric mucosa in stress-induced gastric ulcer, which is closely related to its actions in promoting synthesis of TGF-α and proliferation of gastric mucosal cells, suppressing gastric mucosal cell apoptosis, and up-regulating HSP70 expression.

Keywords: Moxibustion, Stress ulcer, HSP70, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Apoptosis