Moxibustion at CV4 alleviates atherosclerotic lesions through activation of the LXRα/ABCA1 pathway in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice

作者：Yingxue Cui, Juntian Liu, Chang Huang, Baixiao Zhao · 发表于：Acupuncture in Medicine · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1136/acupmed-2016-011317 · 被引用次数：21 · 研究领域：Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism、Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies、Antioxidants, Aging, Portulaca oleracea

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion and whether it is mediated through the reverse cholesterol transport process. METHODS: knockout) mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 per group): atherosclerosis (AS) and AS plus moxibustion (AS+M). C57BL/6J mice of the same background (n=10) were selected as controls. Mice in the AS+M group received indirect moxibustion with an ignited moxa stick held over CV4. Mice of the AS and control groups were restrained in the same holder with an unlit moxa stick held over CV4. All treatments were performed for 20 min per day, 6 days per week for 12 weeks. After the treatment, the mice were euthanased and their serum lipids were measured. The aortic roots and thoracic aortas were collected for haematoxylin and eosin and red oil O staining, respectively, to analyse the atherosclerotic lesions. Expression of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette (ABCA)A1/G1 and liver X receptor α (LXRα) in the thoracic aorta were examined with Western blotting. RESULTS: The moxibustion-treated (AS+M) mice showed a significantly lower plaque area percentage in the aortic root and thoracic aorta, and higher expression of LXRα and ABCA1 in the thoracic aorta compared with the AS mice. No significant differences were found in average lipid area percentage in the thoracic aorta, or ABCG1 expression in the thoracic aorta, between mice in the AS+M and AS groups. CONCLUSION: mice. The anti-atherogenic effect of moxibustion may b...