[Influence of moxibustion with different duration on colonic epithelial structure, serum inflammatory cytokines, and intestinal mucosa inflammatory cell signal transduction pathways].

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Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion at different duration on colonic mucosal morphological chan-ObjectiveTo observe the effect of moxibustion at different duration on colonic mucosal morphological changes, serum and colonic cytokine levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to provide experimental evidence for clinical treat-ges, serum and colonic cytokine levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to provide experimental evidence for clinical treatment of UC.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, UC model, 3 cones-moxibustion (3-cones-M), 6-SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, UC model, 3 cones-moxibustion (3-cones-M), 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups, with 6 rats in each group. UC model was established by intra-rectal injection of mixture solution ofcones-M and 9-cones-M groups, with 6 rats in each group. UC model was established by intra-rectal injection of mixture solution of 5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg) and 50% alcohol (1 1) under anesthesia and oral administration of 5%5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg) and 50% alcohol (1 : 1) under anesthesia and oral administration of 5% dextran sodium sulfate. Moxibustion (ignited moxa cones) was applied to "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Daheng" (SP 15), once daily indextran sodium sulfate. Moxibustion (ignited moxa cones) was applied to "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Daheng" (SP 15), once daily in the first 7 days, and once every other day in the subsequent 14 days. Serum IL-8 and IL- 10 contents were assayed by ELISA andthe first 7 days, and once every other day in the subsequent 14 days. Serum IL-8 and IL-10 contents were assayed by ELISA and colonic toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) and nuclear factor-icB p 65 (NE-KB p 65) protein expression levels detected by Western blot.colonic toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) and nuclear factor-mB p 65 (NF-mB p 65) protein expression levels detected by Western blot. The colonic mucosal structure was observed by light microscope after H. E. staining, and by electron microscope, respectively.The colonic mucosal structure was observed by light microscope after H. E. staining, and by electron microscope, respectively.

Results: In comparison with the blank control group, the Disease Activity Index (DAI), serum IL-8 content, colonic TLR-9 andResults - In comparison with the blank control group, the Disease Activity Index (DAI), serum IL-8 content, colonic TLR-9 and NE-KB p 65 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group ( P<0. 05), and serum IL-la content wasNF-mB p 65 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group ( P < 0.05), and serum IL-10 content was notably decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). While in comparison with the model group, the DAI, serum IL-8 content, co-notably decreased in the model group (P<0.05). While in comparison with the model group, the DAI, serum IL-8 content, coIonic TLR-9 and NE-kappaB p 65 protein expression levels in the 3-cones-M, 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups were remarkably down-lonic TLR-9 and NF-mB p 65 protein expression levels in the 3-cones-M. 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups were remarkably down- regulated (P < 0.05), and serum IL-10 contents considerably up-regulated in the three moxibustion groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the three moxibustion groups in the DAI (P > 0.05). The serum IL-8 contents were significantly lower and serum IL-10 contents were considerably higher in the 6-cones-M and 9-cones-M groups than in the 3-cones-M group (P < 0.05). The changes of colonic TLR-9 and NF-kappaB p 65 protein expression were more remarkable in the 9-cones-M group than in the 3-cones-M and 6-cones-M groups (P < 0.05). Results of H.E. staining and electron microscopy showed that in the model group, mucosal injury, partial disorganization of the glandular organ, edema and congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration, mucosal epithelial microvili injury with disordered arrangement, etc. under light microscope, and local mucosal defect, apoptotic bodies and mucolysis under electron microscope were found, these situations were obviously lighter in rats of the three moxibustion groups, particularly in the 9-cones-M group.

Conclusion: Moxibustion intervention can relieve colonic mucosal injury in UC mice, which may be closely associated with its effects in suppressing serum proinflammatory cytokine IL-8, up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level, and inhibiting colonic NF- KB p 65 and TLR-9 protein expression, and the effects of longer duration of moxibustion are better.