Laboratory Study on the Effect of Moxibustion on the Proliferation of Neural Stem Cells after Cerebral Ischemia / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion on the proliferation of neural stem cells after cerebral ischemia- reperfusion in rat models.Method The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was developed by using modified Zea-Longa method. Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomized into group A (sham-operation group), group B (model group) and group C (moxibustion group). Each group was then further divided into 4 sub-groups according to different time points 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d, 6 rats in each sub-group. For each group, Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5) were selected to study. The proliferated cells were marked by intraperitoneal injection of BrdU, and TTC staining and HE staining were adopted to detect the pathological changes of brain tissues after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Immunohistochemical method was used to dynamically detect the positive expressions of BrdU and Nestin cells in DG and SVZ zones at different time points, and microscope image analysis was taken to study the positive expressions.Result The neurological deficit score in group C was significantly lower than that in group B at each time point (P<0.05). The neurological deficit score in group C was significantly different from that in group B at the same time point (P<0.05). Moxibustion can up-regulate the expression of BrdU in SVZ and DG, and the increase started from the 3rd day and reached the peak on the 7th day. The increase of BrdU expression in group C was more significant than that in group B (P<0.05). Moxibustion can up-regulate the expression of Nestin in SVZ and DG, and the increase started from the 3rd day and reached the peak on the 7th day. The increase of Nestin expression in group C was more significant than that in group B (P<0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can remarkably promote the recovery of nerve function and the proliferation of BrdU and Nestin after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.