[Effect of moxibustion on lipid peroxidation in the spinal cord of rats with urinary retention due to spinal cord injury].

Abstract

Objectives: To observe the effect of moxibustion on urinary dynamics and lipid oxidation in spinal cord tissue of rats with urinary retention after spinal cord injury (SCI), so as to explore its possible mechanism in improving urinary retention after SCI.

Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model and moxibustion groups, with 10 rats in each group. SCI induced urinary retention model was established by using Allen's method. Moxibustion was applied to "Shenque" (CV8), "Guanyuan"(CV4) and "Zhongji" (CV3) for 20 min, once daily for 14 d. The maximum bladder volume, bladder leakage point pressure and bladder compliance of rats were measured by urodynamics. The changes of spinal cord histomorphology were observed by H.E. staining. The ultrastructure of neurons in spinal cord was observed by transmission electron microscope. Serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) content was detected by ELISA. Serum glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by colorimetry. The protein expression levels of lipid oxidation-associated protein esteryl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), lyso phosphatidyl cholin acyl transferase 3 (LPCAT3) and lipoxygenase (LOX) in spinal cord were detected by Western blot.

Results: Compared with sham operation group, the maximum bladder volume, bladder compliance, bladder leakage point pressure, serum ROS and MDA contents, the protein expression levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3 and LOX in spinal cord tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group, while the GSH content in serum was decreased (P<0.01). After the treatment and compared with model group, the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance, bladder leakage point pressure, serum ROS and MDA contents, the protein expression levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3 and LOX in spinal cord tissue in the moxibustion group were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the GSH content in serum was increased (P<0.05). H.E. staining indicated morphological damage in the spinal cord of rats in the model group, with disappeared normal neurons, which were relatively milder in the moxibustion group.

Conclusions: Moxibustion can improve the bladder function of rats with urinary retention after SCI, which may be associated with its functions in down-regulating lipid oxidation in spinal cord tissue, reshaping spinal cord function.