Effect of Moxibustion on Heat Shock Protein and Related Inflammatory Cells in Rats with Acute Gastric Mucosal Injury

Objective To explore the protective effect of moxibustion against acute gastric mucosal injury and the mechanism of its inhibition of inflammatory reaction. Methods Healthy SPP class SD rats were randomly allocated to control, model, moxibustion and non-acupoint moxibustion groups. A model of gastric mucosal injury was made by gavage of absolute alcohol. Moxibustion was performed on points Zusanli and Zhonhwan. Gastric mucosal injury index was calculated by the GUTH method. Histomorphologic changes in gastric mucosa were observed by HE staining. The expression of HSP70 in gastric mucosal cells was examined by an immunohistochemical method. Serum inflammatory cytokine content was measured by radioimmunoassay. Results Gastric mucosal injury index and serum inflammatory cytokine content increased markedly (P 0.01) and inflammatory infiltration was obvious in the model group compared with the control group. Gastric mucosal injury index and serum inflammatory cytokine content decreased markedly (P0.01 or P0.05), the form of gastric mucosa was less damaged and HSP70 was expressed in large amounts (P0.01) in the moxibustion group compared with the model group. Conclusion Moxibustion on points Zusanli and Zhongwan has a certain protective effect against acute gastric mucosal injury. Its mechanism may be related to its inducing the production of large amounts of HSP70 in the body to inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines.