Gao Jun, Liu Xu-guang, Huang Di-jun, Tang Yong, Zhou Hai-yan, Yin Hai-yan, Chen Ting
Department of Acu-moxibustion, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China.
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2010 Jun;35(3):198-203.
To observe the effect of moxibustion of "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) on synovial nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 expression, and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum cortisol (CS) contents in rheumatic arthritis (RA) rats with adrenalectomy (ADX) so as to study the underlying mechanism in ameliorating RA.
Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into control (n=10), model (n=10), moxibustion (n=10), ADX (n=10) and false ADX (n=10) groups according to SPSS-aided random digits table. RA model was established by injecting 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant into the right paw. ADX operation was performed on the sixth day after successful establishment of RA model. Moxibustion was given to "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) from the 7th day on, five moxa cones each session, and once daily for 18 days. Then plasma ACTH and serum CS contents, for which the blood was collected during night, were detected by ELISA, and NF-kappaB p 65 immunoactivity in synovial tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.
In comparison with control group, the foot volumes (swelling degree) of model, moxibustion, ADX, and false ADX groups increased significantly (P < 0.01), while compared with model group, the swelling degrees of moxibustion and false ADX groups were decreased remarkably after the treatment (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between ADX and model groups in the foot volume (P > 0.05). Compared with control group, plasma ACTH content in RA model group decreased obviously (P < 0.05), while serum CS level and NF-kappaB p 65 immunoactivity increased apparently in model group (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, serum CS contents in moxibustion, ADX and false ADX groups and synovial NF-kappaB p 65 immunoactivity in moxibustion and false ADX groups reduced considerably (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between ADX and model groups in synovial NF-kappaB p 65 immunoactivity (P > 0.05).
Moxibustion treatment can reduce inflammation reactions in RA rats, which is closely associated with its effects in upregulating plasma ACTH, downregulaing serum CS level and synovial NF-kappaB p 65 immunoactivity, and the intact hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA).
观察艾灸“肾俞”（BL 23）和“足三里”（ST 36）对肾上腺切除（ADX）的风湿性关节炎（RA）大鼠滑膜核因子（NF）-κB p65表达、血浆促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）及血清皮质醇（CS）含量的影响，以探讨艾灸改善RA的潜在机制。
将50只雄性SD大鼠按SPSS辅助随机数字表法随机分为对照组（n = 10）、模型组（n = 10）、艾灸组（n = 10）、ADX组（n = 10）和假ADX组（n = 10）。通过向右侧足掌注射0.1 mL弗氏完全佐剂建立RA模型。在RA模型成功建立后第6天进行ADX手术。从第7天起对“肾俞”（BL 23）和“足三里”（ST 36）进行艾灸，每次5壮，每日1次，共18天。然后采用ELISA法检测夜间采集血液的血浆ACTH和血清CS含量，采用免疫组化法检测滑膜组织中NF-κB p65免疫活性。
与对照组比较，模型组、艾灸组、ADX组和假ADX组足容积（肿胀程度）显著增加（P < 0.01）；与模型组比较，治疗后艾灸组和假ADX组肿胀程度明显降低（P < 0.01）。ADX组与模型组足容积比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。与对照组比较，RA模型组血浆ACTH含量明显降低（P < 0.05），模型组血清CS水平及NF-κB p65免疫活性明显升高（P < 0.01）。与模型组比较，艾灸组、ADX组和假ADX组血清CS含量及艾灸组和假ADX组滑膜NF-κB p65免疫活性显著降低（P < 0.01，P < 0.05）。ADX组与模型组滑膜NF-κB p65免疫活性比较差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。
艾灸治疗可减轻RA大鼠的炎症反应，这与其上调血浆ACTH、下调血清CS水平及滑膜NF-κB p65免疫活性以及下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴（HPAA）功能完整密切相关。
