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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2022 , Vol. 42 >Issue 6: 980 - 987

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20220817.001

Research Articles

Efficacy of Moxa-burning heat stimulating Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) on expressions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and macrophage apoptosis in rabbits with adjuvant-induced arthritis

  • Haiyan ZHOU ,
  • Yumei ZHONG ,
  • Xiuhua GAO ,
  • Fei WU ,
  • Min JIA ,
  • Xin YANG
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  • 1 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
    2 Pain Department, Chengdu First People's Hospital/ Chengdu Integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital, Chengdu 610095, China
    3 Centre of Preventive Treatment of Disease, Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
    4 Foreign Languages School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
    5 Acupuncture Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, China
    6 Health Rehabilitation School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
Associate Prof. YANG Xin, Health Rehabilitation School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China. yangxin@cdutcm.edu.cn,Telephone: +86-13551039390
Associate chief doctor JIA Min, Acupuncture Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014030, China. 401877133@qq.com;

Received date: 2021-09-16

  Accepted date: 2021-12-21

  Online published: 2022-08-17

Supported by

Study on the Immune Mechanisms of Macrophage M1/M2 Polarization in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Moxibustion “Strengthening Body Resistance and Eliminating Evil”(81973959);Research on “Immune-Inflammation” Molecular Signal Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasomes in RA with Moxibustion Treatment(81774435);Research on the Functional Characterics of “Special Effect” and “Common Effect” of Acupoints(2019YFC1709001);Research on MIF-GC Rhythm Regulation Mechanism of Moxibustion in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis(2018JC007);Research on the Mechanism of “MIF-target Protein-GC-inflammation” of Anti-inflammatory Effect of Moxibustion on Rheumatoid Arthritis(QNXZ2018034)

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of moxa-burning heat stimulating acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) on macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its related molecules which can provide scientific experimental basis for the clinical application of moxibustion treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: Thirty rabbits were randomly assigned to control group, RA model (established by injecting Freund’s Complete Adjuvant) group (RA group) and RA model with moxibustion group [Moxa group, Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23), 5 moxa pillars/day, 6 d × 3]. The expressions of MIF mRNA were evaluated with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; the apoptosis rates of macrophages were detected by erminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dTUP nick end labeling; the expressions of related signal molecules were detected with immunohistochemical S-P method and the levels of IL-2 were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: The expressions of MIF mRNA, extracellular regulated protein kinases 2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κ-gene binding p65 in synovial tissue of RA group were significantly increased when compared with control group, which were lower remarkably in moxa group than those in RA group. The apoptosis rates of macrophages in RA group were significantly down-regulated as compared with the control group, which were up-regulated in moxa group compared with the RA group. The levels of IL-2 in synovial fluid from the RA group were elevated significantly as compared with that from control group, but those of the moxa group were reduced when compared with those from RA group.

CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion may simultaneously regulate the expressions of MIF and its related signaling pathways molecules, the apoptosis rate of macrophages in synovial tissue, as well as the level of inflammatory factors in synovial fluid. The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion on RA may be related to inhibit the expression of MIF in synovial tissue, the molecules of some related signaling pathways and promote the apoptosis of macrophage.

Key words： rheumatoid arthritis; moxibustion; macrophage migration-inhibitory factors; macrophages

Cite this article

Haiyan ZHOU , Yumei ZHONG , Xiuhua GAO , Fei WU , Min JIA , Xin YANG . Efficacy of Moxa-burning heat stimulating Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) on expressions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and macrophage apoptosis in rabbits with adjuvant-induced arthritis[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022 , 42(6) : 980 -987 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20220817.001

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