[Acupoint catgut embedding improves gastric mucosal injury by down-regulating expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in chronic atrophic gastritis rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on histopathological changes of gastric mucosa and expression of mucosal hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CAG.
Methods: Male SD rats were divided into blank group ( n =10) and model group ( n =9) and catgut embedment group ( n =10). The CAG model was established by free drinking of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine solution (100 μg/mL) and irregular diet. Catgut embedment was applied to "Zhongwan" (CV12) and bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Pishu" (BL20), once every 10 days, 6 times in total. Histopathological changes of gastric mucosal tissue were observed under microscope after H.E. staining. The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins in the antrum of stomach was detected by Western blot.
Results: H.E. staining showed that compared with the blank group, the number of rats with glandular necrosis, atrophy and mucosal stasis in the model group were increased significantly ( P <0.001, P <0.05).Compared with the model group, the number of rats with gland necrosis, atrophy and mucosal stasis in the catgut embedment group were significantly reduced ( P <0.01, P <0.05). Western blot displayed that the expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins were significantly higher in rats with blood stasis and model group than in those without blood stasis and the blank group ( P <0.01), and were considerably down-regulated in the catgut embedment group than in the model group ( P <0.05, P <0.01).
Conclusion: Acupoint catgut embedment can improve the injury of gastric mucosa in CAG rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins in the gastric mucosa.