Yuan Lu, Tingting Lv, Manwen Xu, Zhe Ma, Zhijun Weng, Hui Feng, Luyi Wu, Fang Zhang, Guanghong Ding, Huangan Wu, Huirong Liu

(1. Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Meridian. 650 South WanPing Road, Shanghai, China. 200030; 2. Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Fudan University. 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, China. 200433; 3.Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 725 South WanPing Road, Shanghai, China. 200030; 4. Guanghua Hospital. 540 Xinhua Road, 

Shanghai, China. 200052)

Abstract: Objective: To observe dopamine (DA)/dopamine receptor D1R in the colon, spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus of a rat model of Crohn's disease (CD) by moxibustion at the Tian-shu（ST25）and Qihai（CV6）acupoints and to elucidate the mechanism  of  moxibustion  in treating CD.  Methods:  The rats were randomly divided into the  normal, model, herbal-partitioned moxibustion (Mox)  and mesalazine (Mesa)groups. Damage in the colons was scored and observed by HE staining. DA/D1R expression in the colonic mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry,  which  in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus were measured by ELISA. D1R mRNA expression in the three sites  was evaluated by real-time PCR.  Results:Immunohistochemistry and ELISA results showed that  DA/D1R expressions  were  significantly higher in themodel group  than in the  normal group  (P<0.01), and decreased in the Mox and Mesa groups compared to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05).  PCR showed the same results of  D1R mRNA expression as DA/D1R.. Conclusion: Moxibustion at the Tian-shu  (ST25) and Qi-hai (CV6) acupoints can relieve colitis in a CD rat, decrease  DA/D1R  mRNA  expression  in  the  intestine,  spinal  dorsal  horn  and  hypothalamus.  The  antiinflammatory effect may be important mechanisms underlying the efficacy of moxibustion on CD.

Key words：Acupuncture, Crohn's disease, Herbal-partitioned moxibustion, Dopamine, Dopaminereceptor