Effect of moxibustion at "acupoint-open on-time" on immune function and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway in aging rats

Abstract

To observe the effect of moxibustion at "acupoint-open on-time" （Linggui Bafa） on immune function and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in aging rats, so as to reveal its underlying mechanism of anti-agingt. Forty SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, "Linggui Bafa" and "Shenque (CV8)" groups (n=10 in each group). Aging model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (300 mg/kg) for 42 days. Moxibustion was applied at "acupoint-open on-time" or CV8 once daily for 28 days. The serum levels of TNF-α, IgG, IgA and IgM were detected by ELISA. The spleen index of rats was calculated. The expression of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB inhibitor protein (IκB) α mRNA of spleen tissues was detected by real-time PCR. Compared with the control group, the expression level of serum TNF-α, the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p65 and IκBα in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression levels of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, and the spleen index in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After the treatment, mode-ling-induced increase of serum TNF-α, NF-κB p65 and IκBα mRNA expression levels and decrease of serum IgG, IgA, IgM levels, the spleen index were all completely reversed in the two treatment groups relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). No significant change was found in the above-mentioned indexes between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). Moxibustion at both "acupoint-open on-time" and CV8 can enhance the immune function of aging rats, which may be related to its effects in inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway.