Moxibustion On Senile Rat Brain Neuronal Protection Mechanisms

Objective: To investigate the protective effection of the old rats' neurous cell and the function to improve the ability to studying memory by moxibustion "Baihui" and "Shenshu" points.Methods: On the base of nature aging rats model, the rats were divided into 3 groups: adults group, aging group, and moxibusition aging group, the latter were treated by moxibustion Baihui(DU20), Shenshu(BL23) points in 10min, one a day , 5days a course of treatment, all 8 courses. Using several measures including Morris water maze test, electro-glasses, flow cytometry(FCM), immunohistochemical method, et al, to observe each group's alteration on learning memory action, acetylcholine, freeradical, hemeoxygenase-1, and apoptosis.Results: (1) Both on orientation navigate test to reflect the ability on obtaining learning space memory, and on space searching test to reflect the ability to deposited information, moxibustion can shorten the latent period and lessen the times of span flat roof, which has full difference to the old group(P<0.01). (2) Comparing to the adulted group, there was a significant difference on Acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine, choline acetyltransferase (P<0.01 or P<0.05) ; but moxibustion can rise the activity of Ach and ChAT (P<0.01) , and recede the activity of AchE (P<0.01). (3) In comparision with the adult group, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity decreases and malondialdehyde(MDA) content increased significantly in the old group(P<0.05~0.01); while in moxibustion group, NOS levels and SOD activity raises considerably and MDA lowered remarkably(P<0.01). (4) There were hardly expresses on hemeoxygenase-1 in the adults and old group, while in moxibustion group, HO-1 masculine expression raised slightly. (5) In comparision with the adult group, the quantity on apoptosis increased significantly in the old group(P<0.01), while in moxibustion group apoptosis levels reduced remarkably(P<0.01).Conclusion: Moxibustion can balance the Ach system , promote the ability to resist oxidation and restrain the number of apoptosis in aging mice, that maybe responsible for moxibustion induced aging-delaying action.