Study of the Effects of Medicinal Paste Moxibustion and Electroacupuncture on ITF and IL-8 Expressions in the Colonic Mucosa of Ulcerative Colitis Rats

Objective To investigate the regulating effects of medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture on intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) expressions in the colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats. Methods Rats were randomly allocated to normal, model, medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups. A rat model of UC was made by an immunological method plus local stimulation. Point Shangjuxu was selected for medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture in the medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups. The treatments continued for 14 times. After treatment, changes in the rat’s symptoms and signs were recorded, changes in colonic morphology were observed under an optical microscope, and ITF and IL-8 expressions were examined by an immunohistochemical method. Results ITF expression decreased obviously (P0.01) and IL-8 expression increased obviously (P0.05) in the colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis rats compared with the normal group. After treatment, body weight increased, the symptoms and signs such as diarrhea and bloody purulent stool improved, and morphological injuries to the colon were reduced in the medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups. ITF expression increased obviously (P0.01) and IL-8 expression decreased obviously (P0.05) in the colonic mucosa of both the medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups compared with the model group. Conclusion ITF expression decreased obviously and IL-8 expression increased obviously in the colonic mucosa of UC rats. Both medicinal paste moxibustion and electroacupuncture at point Shangjuxu can regulate abnormal ITF and IL-8 expressions.