Direct Moxibustion "Ganshu" Livin Inhibitor Effect On HCC Precancerous Lesions Of Apoptosis

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of moxibustion at "Ganshu"(BL18) on the contents of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), the pathological changes of liver tissue and the novel inhibitor of apoptosis-Livin expression in Rat’s precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsSixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into controlgroup (10), model group (20), prevention1group (15) and prevention2group (15). HCC model was established by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine(DEN). Moxibustion with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral "Ganshu"(BL18),5doses/acupoint,0.5mg/dose, once every other day. Prevention1group had one therapeutic course (20days) while prevention2group had two therapeutic courses (40days).Detected the contents of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) with ELISA method. H.E. staining of the liver tissue sections was used to display pathological changes. The expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis-livin in the liver tissue was detected with immunohistochemical method.ResultsAfter the first therapeutic course, AFP contents of the prevention1group was remarkably down-regulated in comparison with the model group (P<0.05).After the second therapeutic course, no significant differences were found among the prevention2group and the model group (P>0.10). When the establishment of HCC model was accomplished, AFP contents of the model group was significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the morphological structure of hepatic tissue in the model group was severely damaged, which was relatively milder in the prevention1group and the prevention2group. In comparison with the model group, the expression of livin in the prevention1group and prevention2group was evidently decreased(P<0.01, P <0.05). it is remarkably increased in the model group in comparison with the control group (P<0.01)ConclusionIt is possible that moxibustion could inhibit Precancerous lesion and Postpone hepatocarcinogenesis. It can reduce the damage to hepatic cells, decrease the contents of AFP and the expression of livin in the liver tissue, which may be one of underlying mechanisms for moxibusion to exert its antitumor efficacy.