Yingxue Cui1, Juntian Liu2, Chang Huang3, Baixiao Zhao3. 1. 1 Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. 2. 2 Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Huguosi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. 3. 3 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion and whether it is mediated through the reverse cholesterol transport process. METHODS: 8-week-old male apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE-/- knockout) mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 per group): atherosclerosis (AS) and AS plus moxibustion (AS+M). C57BL/6J mice of the same background (n=10) were selected as controls. Mice in the AS+M group received indirect moxibustion with an ignited moxa stick held over CV4. Mice of the AS and control groups were restrained in the same holder with an unlit moxa stick held over CV4. All treatments were performed for 20 min per day, 6 days per week for 12 weeks. After the treatment, the mice were euthanased and their serum lipids were measured. The aortic roots and thoracic aortas were collected for haematoxylin and eosin and red oil O staining, respectively, to analyse the atherosclerotic lesions. Expression of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABCA)A1/G1 and liver X receptor α (LXRα) in the thoracic aorta were examined with Western blotting. RESULTS: The moxibustion-treated (AS+M) mice showed a significantly lower plaque area percentage in the aortic root and thoracic aorta, and higher expression of LXRα and ABCA1 in the thoracic aorta compared with the AS mice. No significant differences were found in average lipid area percentage in the thoracic aorta, or ABCG1 expression in the thoracic aorta, between mice in the AS+M and AS groups. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion treatment at CV4 suppressed the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/- mice. The anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion may be achieved by: (1) regulation of lipid metabolism, and thus prevention of lipid accumulation; and (2) upregulation of LXRα- and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux in the lesion area.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion and whether it is mediated through the reverse cholesterol transport process. METHODS: 8-week-old male apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE-/- knockout) mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 per group): atherosclerosis (AS) and AS plus moxibustion (AS+M). C57BL/6J mice of the same background (n=10) were selected as controls. Mice in the AS+M group received indirect moxibustion with an ignited moxa stick held over CV4. Mice of the AS and control groups were restrained in the same holder with an unlit moxa stick held over CV4. All treatments were performed for 20 min per day, 6 days per week for 12 weeks. After the treatment, the mice were euthanased and their serum lipids were measured. The aortic roots and thoracic aortas were collected for haematoxylin and eosin and red oil O staining, respectively, to analyse the atherosclerotic lesions. Expression of adenosinetriphosphate binding cassette (ABCA)A1/G1 and liver X receptor α (LXRα) in the thoracic aorta were examined with Western blotting. RESULTS: The moxibustion-treated (AS+M) mice showed a significantly lower plaque area percentage in the aortic root and thoracic aorta, and higher expression of LXRα and ABCA1 in the thoracic aorta compared with the AS mice. No significant differences were found in average lipid area percentage in the thoracic aorta, or ABCG1 expression in the thoracic aorta, between mice in the AS+M and AS groups. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion treatment at CV4 suppressed the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/- mice. The anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion may be achieved by: (1) regulation of lipid metabolism, and thus prevention of lipid accumulation; and (2) upregulation of LXRα- and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux in the lesion area.
Entities:
Keywords:
atherosclerosis; cholesterol efflux; lipid metabolism; moxibustion; reverse cholesterol transport
Authors: Huang Yueping; Yao Qin; OuYang Xiali; Lin Yao; Liu Yajie; Huang Chang; He Rui; Hui Xin; Wang Hao; Zhang Rui; Liu Jinyi; Zhao Baixiao Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2022-10-03 Impact factor: 2.650