Effect of grain-sized Moxibustion with different acupoint group on monoamine neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus of insomnia rats

Aim:To observe the effects of Moxibustion at different acupoints group on the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA),dopamine(DA),and norepinephrine(NE) in the hypothalamus of insomnia rats to investigate the mechanism of Moxibustion treatment of insomnia. Methods: Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: controlled group,model group,diazepam group,grain-sized Moxibustion group I(Baihui(DU20),Shendao(DU11),Xinshu(BL15)),grain-sized Moxibustion group II(Sanyinjiao(SP6),Shenmen(HT7)),grain-sized Moxibustion group III(Shenmai(BL62),Zhaohai(KI6)).The model of insomnia rats were established by DL-P-Chlorophenylalanine(PCPA) peritoneal injection.The diazepam group rats were treated by diazepam peritoneal injection.Each grain-sized Moxibustion group rats were treated by Moxibustion at different acupoints.Monoamine neurotransmitters such as 5-HT,5-HIAA,NE and DA in the hypothalamusof insomnia rats in each group were determine after 6 days continuously treatment.Results: After Moxibustion treatment the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA of the model group decreased significantly in contrast with controlled group,the contents of 5-HT and 5-HIAA increased obviously in the different grain-sized Moxibustion groups while the contents of NE and DA decreased significantly in contrast with model group and diazepam group(P0.05,P0.01).Among the grain-sized Moxibustion groups,group II was better than the group I(P0.05),but there was no significant difference between the group III and the other two groups(P0.05).Conclusion:The mechanism of grain-sized Moxibustion treatment of insomnia may be due to the increase of monoamine neurotransmitters such as 5-HT,5-HIAA and the decrease of monoamine neurotransmitters such as NE,DA in the hypothalamus of insomnia rats.Grain-sized Moxibustion group II was better than the group I and it may be suggest that Sanyinjiao(SP6),Shenmen(HT7) is better than other acupoints in treating insomnia.