Regulation of 11β-HSD1 reductase and the HPA axis by long-snake moxibustion in kidney-yang deficiency rats
Hui Huang,
Jingjiao Zeng,
Limei Tang,
Lele Geng,
Xijing Yu,
Chenying Deng,
Hang Liu,
Ping Huang,
Ensi Hong,
Xiuwu Hu
Affiliations
Hui Huang
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Jingjiao Zeng
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Limei Tang
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Lele Geng
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Xijing Yu
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Chenying Deng
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Hang Liu
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Ping Huang
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China
Ensi Hong
Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
Xiuwu Hu
Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Clinical Research Centre of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Nanchang, China; Nanchang Key Laboratory of the Mechanism of the Effects of Long Snake Moxibustion and the Specificity of the Governor's Vessel, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Key Research Unit of Long Snake Moxibustion, Nanchang, China; Corresponding author. Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330038, China.
Background: Long-snake moxibustion can improve hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in patients with kidney-yang deficiency (KYDS). 11β-HSD1 controls the HPA axis by boosting CORT production via reductase activity. However, the interaction and mechanism of long snake moxibustion and 11β-HSD1 remain unknown. This study examined the impact of lengthy snake moxibustion on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in KYDS rats. The potential significance of 11β-HSD1 in this process was explored. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into two groups: the blank group and the experimental group. The KYDS model was established with an intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: model, sham intervention, long snake moxibustion, and long snake moxibustion plus 11β-HSD1 inhibitor. Physical indicators included body weight, toe temperature, rectal temperature, and spontaneous movement. The serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and CORT were measured. Immunohistochemical examination reveals 11β-HSD1 protein expression in the liver. Western blotting (WB) detected the levels of 11β-HSD1, H6PDH and NADPH/NADP + protein in the liver. Results: The experimental rats' body weight, toe temperature, rectal temperature, time and frequency of spontaneous activity all dropped, as did their serum ACTH, CORT, and CRH levels. The protein expressions of 11β-HSD1, H6PDH, and NADPH/NADP+ in the liver decreased significantly. Long-snake moxibustion improved HPA axis function in rats, boosting expression of 11β-HSD1, H6PDH, and NADPH/NADP+. Adding an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor to Long-snake moxibustion decreased its effect on the HPA axis. Conclusion: Long-snake moxibustion improves KYDS symptoms in rats by increasing 11β-HSD1 expression and reductase activity, which regulates the HPA axis.
