Wu Zijian, Duan Wenxiu, Gong Changping, Cai Ronglin, He Lu, Yu Qing, Hu Ling

(Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230038)

Abstract: Objective: To observe the effect of various concentration of moxa smog inhalation on olfactory bulb ultrastructure and c-Fos  protein expression  in order to  provide primary experimental support for the evaluation of safety and effect of moxa smog.  Methods:  Male adult SD rats were randomly divided into control  group,  low  concentration  moxa  smog  group,  medium  concentration  moxa  smog  group  and  high concentration moxa smog group. The rats in three moxa smog groups were given different concentrations of moxa smog in a self-made plexiglass case for 4 hours/day for 4 weeks. The olfactory bulb was removed, fixed, sliced and the ultrastructure of the olfactory bulb was observed. C-Fos expression of the olfactory bulb was  observed  by  immunohistochemistry  methods.  Results:  The  ultrastructure  of  the  olfactory  bulb  was observed under transmission electron microscope. In the control group, the olfactory bulb was complete. Low concentration of moxa smog decreased intracellular ribosome of the olfactory bulb and there were vacuolar degeneration and rupture of the mitochondria, disappearance of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the medium concentration moxa smog group, the intracellular ribosome decreased, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was rich and well-organized. There were vacuolar degeneration and rupture of the mitochondria. In the high concentration moxa smog group, there were slight decrease of the ribosome of the olfactory bulb, well-organized and rich rough endoplasmic reticulum, normal mitochondria. There was no difference of the c-Fos label cells between groups (P>0.05) .The expression of c-Fos protein in the control group was more obvious.  Low  and  medium  concentration  of  moxa  smog  influenced  c-Fos  express  in  a  certain  range. Conclusions: The ultrastructure of the olfactory bulb was changed by inhalation of different concentration moxa smog, the cell organelle was injured in a certain extent. High concentration moxa smog environment can alter the c-Fos expression of the olfactory bulb.

Keywords: moxa smog, olfactory bulb, ultrastructure, c-Fos