Effects of moxibustion on cortical expression of NF-кB p65 protein in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective: To observe the efects of moxibustion on cortical expression of nuclear factor-кB(NF-кB) p65protein in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and to clarify the possible mechanism of moxibustion for treatment of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods: Twenty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, sham group(n=6), model group(n=10) and moxibustion group(n=10). Focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was induced for 2h by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) followed by reperfusion. HE staining was used to examine inlammatory cells in the brain, radioimmunoassay was used to calculate the concentration of interleukin-1β and interleukin-2 in the serum, and western blot was used to detect the expression of NF-кB p65 protein in the cerebral cortex. Results: Compared with sham group, a large number of inlammatory cells existed in the rat brain of model group, the serum concentrations of interleukin-1β and interleukin-2were increased(P0.05), and the cortical expression of NF-кB p65 protein were risen(P0.05). Less inlammatory cells existed in the rat brain of moxibustion group, the serum concentrations of interleukin-1β and interleukin-2 were decreased, and the cortical expression of NF-кB p65 protein was reduced(P0.05). Conclusion: Reducing expression of NF-кB p65 protein in cerebral cortex might be one of mechanisms of moxibustion attenuating focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.