Effect of instant moxibustion on the levels of prostaglandin and arginine vasopressin in the uterine tissues of dismenorrhea rats with cold-damp congealing and stagnation type

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of instant moxibustion on the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGE2α) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the uterine tissues of dismenorrhea rats with cold-damp congealing and stagnation type and to explore its possible mechanism. MethodsFemale Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, herble medicine group, pre-moxibustion group and instant moxibustion group, with 9 rats in each group. Cold-damp congealing and stagnation type primary dismenorrhea models were established by adopting (0±1)°C ice water-extraction method combined with estradiol benzoate injection method. After modeling on the 8th day, in herble medicine group, Tongjingbao granules was given to the rats by intragastric administration. In pre-moxibustion group, mild moxibustion was carried out at “Shénquè” (▪ CV 8) and “Guānyuán” (▪ CV 4) of the rats for 10 min at each acupoint. In instant moxibustion group, moxibustion as that in pre-moxibustion group was conducted for once after injection with oxytocin on the 11th day. ELISA was adopted to detect the levels of PGE2 and PGE2α in the uterine tissues of rats, and radioimmunoassay was used for detection of AVP level in the uterine tissues of rats. ResultsCompared with the model group, the latent period of rats in herbal medicine group, pre-moxibustion group and instant moxibustion group obviously prolonged, the number of times of torsion reduced, and the total score of torsion decreased (P<0.01); compared with herbal medicine group, the latent period of rats in instant moxibustion group obviously prolonged, and the total score of torsion decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with pre-moxibustion group, the number of times of torsion of rats in instant moxibustion group reduced, and the total score of torsion decreased (P<0.01). Compared with blank group, the levels of PGE2α and AVP and the ratio of PGE2α and PGE2 in the uterine tissues of rats in model group significantly increased (P<0.01), and the PGE2 level significantly reduced (P<0.01); compared with model group, the PGE2α level and the ratio of PGE2α and PGE2 in the uterine tissues of rats in herble medicine group, pre-moxibustion group and instant moxibustion group obviously reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the PGE2 level obviously increased (P<0.01), and the AVP level in the uterine tissues of rats in pre-moxibustion group and instant moxibustion group obviously reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with herbal medicine group, the levels of PGE2α and AVP and the ratio of PGE2α and PGE2 in the uterine tissues of rats in instant moxibustion group significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with pre-moxibustion group, the PGE2α level and the ratio of PGE2α and PGE2 in the uterine tissues of rats in instant moxibustion group obviously reduced (P<0.05), and the PGE2 level obviously increased (P<0.01). ConclusionBoth pre-moxibustion and instant moxibustion can obviously inhibit spasmodic uterine smooth muscle contraction of rats with dismenorrhea, regulate imbalanced levels of PGE2α and PGE2, reduce the AVP level, so as to improve the uterine hypoxia-ischemia, and play a role in alleviating pain. The efficacy of instant moxibustion was superior to that of pre-moxibustion.