ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the mechanism of moxibustion therapy on diabetic peripheral neuropathy for the peripheral neuroprotection.Methods:The DPN model was induced by intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin (STZ).The rats were given moxibustion at the acupoint Yishu (Extra) and the acupoint Zusanli (ST 36).The treatment was carried out once a day and 15 minutes per acupoint,lasting for 56 d in total.The clinical effect of moxibustion was evaluated by detecting blood sugar,urine sugar,body weight and dietary intakes,as well as nerve conduction velocity with neuroelectrophysiological method.The structure variation of sciatic nerve was observed by HE staining and light microscopy,and the level of NGF in the sciatic nerve Was determined by ELISA.Results:Compared with the model group,the plasma glucose was significantly lower in the moxibustion group (P＜0.01),with significantly faster nerve conduction velocity (P＜0.01),more notably changes in pathological appearance (P＜0.01) and higher level of nerve growth factor (NGF)(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Moxibustion could improve the symptom and signs of peripheral neuropathy in rat models with DPN,which may relate to the increased NGF and enhanced peripheral nerve protection.