[Effect of moxibustion with ignited Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread on interstitial cells of Cajal in gastric antrum in diabetic gastroparesis rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread moxibustion therapy on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the gastric antrum of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improving DGP.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (n = 30) , model (n = 30) and moxibustion (n = 30). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and by feeding the rats with high fat-sugar forage. Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread moxibustion was applied to "Zhongwan" (CV 12), bilateral "Pishu" (BL 20), "Weishu" (BL 21), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) once per day, for 3 weeks except weekends. The gastrointestinal propulsion rate and weight of stool in 24 h were determined, and c-kit (a marker for ICC) expression of the gastric antrum tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.

Results: The stool weight was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.01), but the rate of gastrointestinal propulsion and the rate of c-kit immunoreaction (IR) positive cells in the gastric antrum tissue were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.01). After moxibustion, the increased stool weight and the decreased gastrointestinal propulsion rate and decreased c-kit IR-positive cell rate were reversed (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread moxibustion therapy can improve gastrointestinal function in DGP rats, which may be associated with its effect in up-regulating the expression of c-kit IR-positive ICC.