[Effect of moxibustion and acupuncture on gastric mucosal cell apoptosis and expression of NF-κB, Bcl-2 in chronic atrophic gastritis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion and acupuncture on apoptosis in gastric mucosal cell and expression of NF-κB, Bcl-2 in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CAG. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, moxibustion and acupuncture groups, with 12 rats in each group. The CAG model was established by gavage of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG) solution and irregular diet for 12 weeks. Moxibustion or acupuncture was applied to "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Zhongwan" (CV12) for 15 min, once daily for two weeks in the moxibustion or acupuncture group. The histopathological changes of the gastric mucosa were observed by HE staining. The apoptosis index of gastric mucosa was measured by TUNEL method. The gene expression levels of NF-κB and Bcl-2 were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: After modeling, the color of gastric mucosa was pale and dark, with low folds and significant bleeding points. The glands in lamina propria were atrophied, arranged disorderly, and the numbers were significantly reduced, with inflammatory cells infiltrated. Those histopathological changes were evidently milder in the moxibustion and acupuncture groups. Compared with the normal group, the apoptosis index, NF-κB and Bcl-2 gene expression of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01). After the treatment, the apoptosis index, NF-κB and Bcl-2 gene expression were significantly reduced in the moxibustion and acupuncture groups (P<0.05，P<0.01). The NF-κB expression was lower in the acupuncture group than that of moxibustion group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion and acupuncture therapy can improve the injury of gastric mucosa in CAG rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of NF-κB and Bcl-2 genes in the gastric mucosa.

Effects of moxibustion and acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12) on chronic atrophic gastritis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of moxibustion and acupuncture of Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12) acupoints on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats, and to study the mechanisms behind their actions. METHODS: Forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with CAG by intragastric administration of 40% ethanol combined with free drinking of N-methyl-N'nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and irregular feeding for 12 weeks, followed by daily treatment with moxibustion or acupuncture for 2 weeks. Histopathologic examination, Western blotting of cytokines [epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGFR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK)], and 1H NMR-based metabolic profiling of gastric tissues were used to measure changes related to CAG modeling and treatment. RESULTS: Moxibustion and acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12) each relieved CAG-induced abnormalities in histopathology and cytokine expression of ERK and p-ERK. Only moxibustion treatment regulated the expression of EGF and EGFR. Metabolites that were increased in gastric tissue by CAG induction (alanine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, uracil DNA glycosylase, lactate, glycerol and adenosine) were restored to normal levels after moxibustion treatment; acupuncture treatment only normalized the levels of adenosine monophosphate and glycerol. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that moxibustion or acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12) can significantly improve the condition of CAG in rats. These treatments exert their effects on CAG through different mechanisms.