Moxibustion inhibits growth of tumor by down-regulating expression of FGFR1 and VEGFR2 in mice with sarcoma

Abstract

To observe the effect of moxibustion on the growth of tumor and expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in mice with sarcoma, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying inhibiting sarcoma growth. C57BL/6J mice (half male and half female) were inoculated with S180 sarcoma cells to form transplanted tumors, and divided into model control, medication and moxibustion groups, with 10 mice in each group. Moxibustion was applied to the transplanted tumor directly for 10 min, once a day for 14 days. After the treatment, Luminex liquid suspension chip was used to detect the contents of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), FGFR1 and VEGFR2. The weight of the transplanted tumor was measured, and the expression of VEGF in the transplanted tumor was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of FGFR1 and VEGFR2 mRNAs in the transplanted tumor was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The tumor weight, VEGF immunoactivity, serum VEGF, VEGFR2 and FGFR1 contents, and expression levels of VEGFR2 and FGFR1 mRNAs in the transplanted tumor were significantly lower in the moxibustion group than in the model group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the tumor weight was remarkably lower in the medication group (P<0.001). Compared with the medication group, th VEGF immunoactivity and the contents of serum VEGF, VEGFR2 and FGFR1 were significantly lower in the moxibustion group （P<0.01, P<0.05）. H.E. staining showed a large number of red blood cells were observed in the microenvironment of the transplanted tumor in the moxibustion group rather than in the medication group. Moxibustion can inhibit the growth of tumor in mice with sarcoma, which may be related to its function in reducing the expression of FGFR1 and VEGFR2 to inhibit angiogenesis.