The Effect of Stasis-eliminating and Meridian-unblocking Moxibustion on Vascular Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Migration in VD Rats
ZHANG Man1, YANG Jun1, WANG Ping2, WANG Pin1
(1 ZheJiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Second Hospital,Hangzhou 310005;2Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine First Hospital, Hefei 230038)
Abstract Objective To investigate the in vitro intervening effect of rat serum effector substances on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration after stasis-eliminating and meridianunblocking moxibustion and explore the possible proangiogenic mechanism of stasis-eliminating and meridian-unblocking moxibustion treatment for vascular dementia. Method Male adult Wistar rats were used. A rat model of vascular dementia was made by four-vessel occlusion (4-VO). The rats were randomized to moxibustion, Western medication and model groups. A sham operation group was established as a control. There was a total of four groups. The moxibustion group received aconite cake moxibustion on point Baihui and suspended moxibustion on points Dazhui(GV14) and Shenting(GV24) and the Western medication, an oral gavage of aniracetam tablets. Treatment was given 15 days as one course for a total of two courses. Blood was taken from the Orbital cavity in the moxibustion, sham operation and model groups after each course of treatment. After stasis-eliminating and meridian-unblocking moxibustion, animal serum was prepared to intervene in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC-12) culture. Another
parallel liquid group was set up. RPMI-1640 culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was prepared. Endothelial cell proliferation was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. Endothelial cell migration was examined by cell scratch labeling. Result After two courses of treatment, the examination of endothelial cell proliferation by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay showed that rat serum intervened significantly in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC-12) proliferation in the moxibustion serum group compared with the model serum, sham operation serum and parallel liquid groups (P<0.01). At 24 hrs after two courses of treatment, the examination of endothelial cell migration by cell scratch labeling showed that rat serum intervention significantly increased the HUVEC-12 migration rate in the moxibustion serum group compared with the model serum, sham operation serum and parallel liquid groups (P<0.01). Conclusion Stasis-eliminating and meridian-unblocking moxibustion has a marked improving effect on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration in vascular dementia rats, which provides strong evidence for its in vitro proangiogenic effect.
Key words : Dementia, vascular, Moxibustion, Endothelial cell, Cell proliferation,Cell migration,Angiogenesis,Rats