Effects of long-snake moxibustion on the HPA axis and liver 11β-HSD1 expression in rats with kidney yang deficiency

Objective

To observe the effects of long-snake moxibustion on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and hepatic 11β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) expression in rats with kidney yang deficiency to provide a basis for later in-depth exploration of the action mechanism of long-snake moxibustion on such rats.

Methods

Fifteen SPF-grade, male, SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, and a long-snake moxibustion treatment group, with five rats in each group. Hydrocortisone powder (30 mg/kg) was administered by gavage at a volume of 10 mL/kg to prepare the rat model of kidney yang deficiency. After successful modeling, the rats in the long-snake moxibustion treatment group underwent long-snake moxibustion treatment every other day (along the governor vessel from Dazhui (GV14) to Shenshu(BL23), for a period of 14 days. The remaining two groups were secured in the same way as the long-snake moxibustion treatment group, although they did not receive any treatment. The body weight, rectal temperature, and spontaneous activity count of the rats, as well as serum levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and corticosterone (CORT) were detected by ELISA before modeling, after modeling, and after treatment. The amount of 11β-HSD1 protein in rat liver was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

Results

Compared with the rats in the blank control group, those in the model group exhibited a significant decrease in the trend of body weight growth and in rectal temperature (P <0.05), as well as a slight yet non-significant decrease in spontaneous activity count (P >0.05); compared with the rats in the model group, the rats in the treatment group exhibited a significant increase in rectal temperature (P <0.05) and in spontaneous activity count (P <0.05). Moreover, after 14 days of treatment, compared with the rats in the blank, the rats in the model group exhibited a significant decrease in serum CORT content (P <0.05) and in the expression of 11β-HSD1 in the liver (P <0.05), as well as a slight yet non-significant decrease in serum CRH content (P >0.05); compared with the rats in the model group, the rats in the treatment group exhibited a significant increase in serum CRH content (P <0.05) and in the expression of 11β-HSD1 in the liver (P <0.05), as well as a slight yet non-significant increase in serum CORT content (P >0.05).

Conclusion

Long-snake moxibustion can increase the rectal temperature and spontaneous activity count of rats with kidney yang deficiency, improve the function of the HPA axis, and increase the expression of 11β-HSD1 in the liver.