[Involvement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in moxibustion-induced changes of NF-kappaB signaling in the synovial tissue in rheumatic arthritic rats].

OBJECTIVE

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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).

CONCLUSION

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).