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Moxibustion combined with acupuncture increases tight junction protein expression in Crohn's disease patients.
- Source :
-
World journal of gastroenterology [World J Gastroenterol] 2015 Apr 28; Vol. 21 (16), pp. 4986-96. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Aim: To investigate the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with acupuncture on the expression of intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) proteins.<br />Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with mild to moderate Crohn's disease (CD) were allocated into the herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with acupuncture (HMA) group (n = 30) or the mesalazine (MESA) group (n = 30) using a parallel control method. There were 2 sets of acupoints used alternately for HMA treatment. The following points were included in Set A: ST25 (Tianshu), RN6 (Qihai), and RN9 (Shuifen) for herb-partitioned moxibustion and ST36 (Zusanli), ST37 (Shangjuxu), LI11 (Quchi), and LI4 (Hegu) for acupuncture. The points for Set B included BL23 (Shenshu) and BL25 (Dachangshu) for herb-partitioned moxibustion and EX-B2 of T6-T1 (Jiajixue) for acupuncture. The patients received the same treatment 6 times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The MESA group received 1 g of mesalazine enteric coated tablets 4 times daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Intestinal tissues were stained and examined to compare the morphological and ultrastructural changes before and after the treatment session. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization assays were used to detect the expression of intestinal epithelial TJ proteins zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1. The mRNA levels were also evaluated.<br />Results: After the treatment, both herb-partitioned moxibustion combined with acupuncture and mesalazine improved intestinal morphology and ultrastructure of CD patients; the patients treated with HMA showed better improvement. HMA significantly increased the expression of ZO-1 (P = 0.000), occludin (P = 0.021), and claudin-1 (P = 0.016). MESA significantly increased the expression of ZO-1 (P = 0.016) and occludin (P = 0.026). However, there was no significant increase in the expression of claudin-1 (P = 0.935). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for the expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P > 0.05). The HMA group showed a significant improvement in ZO-1 expression compared to the MESA group (2333.34 ± 352.51 vs 2160.38 ± 307.08, P = 0.047). HMA significantly increased the expression of ZO-1 mRNA (P = 0.000), occludin mRNA (P = 0.017), and claudin-1 mRNA (P = 0.017). MESA significantly increased the expression of ZO-1 mRNA (P = 0.000), occludin mRNA (P = 0.042), and claudin-1 mRNA (P = 0.041). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the expression of occludin and claudin-1 mRNA (P > 0.05). However, the HMA group showed a significant improvement in ZO-1 mRNA expression compared with the MESA group (2378.17 ± 308.77 vs 2200.56 ± 281.88, P = 0.023).<br />Conclusion: HMA can repair intestinal epithelial barrier lesions and relieve inflammation by upregulating the expression of TJ proteins and their mRNAs.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal therapeutic use
Biopsy
China
Combined Modality Therapy
Crohn Disease diagnosis
Crohn Disease genetics
Crohn Disease metabolism
Female
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization
Intestinal Mucosa ultrastructure
Male
Mesalamine therapeutic use
Microscopy, Electron
Middle Aged
RNA, Messenger metabolism
Severity of Illness Index
Tight Junction Proteins genetics
Tight Junctions ultrastructure
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Up-Regulation
Young Adult
Acupuncture Therapy
Crohn Disease therapy
Intestinal Mucosa metabolism
Moxibustion
Tight Junction Proteins metabolism
Tight Junctions metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2219-2840
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 16
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- World journal of gastroenterology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25945013
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v21.i16.4986