Effect of moxibustion treatment on cell apoptosis and expressions of heat shock protein and second mitochondrial activator of caspase in acute gastric mucosal lesion of rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of moxibustion-acupoint treatment with acupoints of Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (RN 12) on cell apoptosis and the expressions of heat shock protein (HSP) 60, HSP70 and second mitochondrial activator of caspase (Smac) in rat models of acute gastric mucosal lesion (AGML), and explore the mechanisms underlying protection of gastric mucosal lesion.MethodsTwenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups, blank controlled group (group A), controlled-point group (group B) and acupoint group (group C), 8 for each. After 8-day moxibustion treatment in group B and C, gastric lavage of anhydrous ethanol was used to created AGML in all three groups. The Guth method was employed to measure the ulcer index (UI) of gastric mucosal lesion and immunohistochemistry used to measure apoptosis with apoptosis index (AI) and examine the expressions of HSP60, HSP70 and Smac.ResultsCompared with group A, the expressions of UI, AI, Smac and HSP60 were markedly elevated in group B (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However the expression of HSP70 showed no obvious change (P>0.05); the expressions of UI, HSP60 and HSP70 were markedly elevated in group C (P<0.01) while those of AI and Smac became obviously suppressed (P<0.01). Compared with group B, the expressions of UI, AI and Smac decreased significantly in group C (P< 0.01) while those of HSP60 and HSP70 increased markedly (P<0.01), and the expressions of HSP60 and HSP70 were considerably up-regulated (P< 0.01).ConclusionThe moxibustion treatment could alleviate the gastric mucosal lesion caused by anhydrous ethanol, induce the over-expressions of HSP60 and HSP70, and down-regulate the expression of Smac, which could suppress cell apoptosis.