Abstract
Background Moxibustion has been recognized as an effective approach for ulcerative colitis, yet its mechanism is not clear. The research aimed to investigate the influence of moxibustion on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and its mechanism in treating ulcerative colitis by observing miR7/RNF183 inducing IκB α ubiquitination to regulate NF-κB signaling pathway in an ulcerative colitis rat model. Methods An ulcerative colitis rat model was established by unlimited access to self-administration of 3.5% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium solution. Mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral Tianshu points (ST25) in the moxa-stick moxibustion group; rats in the control group were intervened by intraperitoneal injection of ubiquitination inhibitor, MG132. The disease activity index was determined at the end of the intervention; colon injury was observed and scored after hematoxylin-eosin staining; the immunohistochemical method was adopted to detect the expressions of colonic IL-1β and NLRP3 proteins; Western blot determined the expressions of RNF183, IκB α, and NF-κB p65 proteins in the colon; the immunofluorescence test was used to observe the coexpression of IκB α/ubiquitin and IκB α/RNF183 proteins in the colon; immunoprecipitation assay was adopted to observe the interaction between IκB α and RNF183 proteins; and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction determined the expression of colonic miR7. Results Moxibustion lowered the disease activity index, manifesting as restored colonic tissue and reduced inflammatory reaction, and decreased expression levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β proteins, compared with the model group. It also reduced colonic expression of NF-κB p65 protein, together with the increased level of IκB α protein and weaker expression levels of ubiquitin and RNF183 proteins and mRNAs and stronger expression of miR7. There were no significant differences between the moxa-stick moxibustion group and the control group except the expressions of RNF183 protein and mRNA and miR7. Conclusion Moxibustion encourages the recovery of colon injury probably by regulating the expression of NLRP3 protein in ulcerative colitis rats through miR7/RNF183/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Highlights
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which mainly attacks the rectum, colonic mucosa, and submucosa [1], with diarrhea, mucous stool, bloody stool, tenesmus, and cramping abdominal pain as its clinical symptoms [2]
The Disease Activity Index (DAI) score was significantly higher in the model group (MG), moxastick moxibustion group (MSMG), and control group (CG) compared with the normal group (NG)
The DAI score was significantly higher in the MG than in the NG (P < 0.01); compared with the MG, the DAI score dropped notably in the MSMG and CG; there was no significant difference between the CG and MSMG (P > 0.05; Figures 2(a) and 2(b))
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which mainly attacks the rectum, colonic mucosa, and submucosa [1], with diarrhea, mucous stool, bloody stool, tenesmus, and cramping abdominal pain as its clinical symptoms [2]. E research aimed to investigate the influence of moxibustion on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and its mechanism in treating ulcerative colitis by observing miR7/RNF183 inducing IκB α ubiquitination to regulate NF-κB signaling pathway in an ulcerative colitis rat model. Moxibustion lowered the disease activity index, manifesting as restored colonic tissue and reduced inflammatory reaction, and decreased expression levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β proteins, compared with the model group It reduced colonic expression of NF-κB p65 protein, together with the increased level of IκB α protein and weaker expression levels of ubiquitin and RNF183 proteins and mRNAs and stronger expression of miR7. Moxibustion encourages the recovery of colon injury probably by regulating the expression of NLRP3 protein in ulcerative colitis rats through miR7/RNF183/NF-κB signaling pathway
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call