Wu Huangan

Effects of mild-warming moxibustion on Bcl-2 and PKC expressions of peripheral blood in elderly people.

OBJECTIVE To explore the anti-aging effects of mild-warming moxibustion on Bcl-2 and PKC expression in peripheral blood and general symptoms in elderly people. METHODS A total of 61 elderly people and 30 non-elderly people were enrolled. The total effective rate of mild-warming moxibustion was assessed by symptom scores, and Bcl-2 and PKC expression in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The total effective rate in the mild-warming moxibustion group was significantly higher than in the blank control group (P < 0.01). Bcl-2 and PKC expression rates in peripheral blood in the blank control group were lower than in the normal control group (< 0.01), but higher after mild-warming moxibustion (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The anti-aging effects of mild-warming moxibustion may be due to increased Bcl-2 and PKC expression in peripheral blood in aged people.

Effect of warming moxibustion Tianshu (ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai (CV 6) for the treatment of diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome: a patient-blinded pilot trial with orthogonal design

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of warming moxibustion Tianshu (ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai (CV 6) in patients with diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) by assessing predominant factors, and determining the best factor combinations and their interactions. To identify the optimal quantity of warming moxibustion Tianshu (ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai (CV 6) to achieve optimal efficacy. Methods An L9 (3 4 ) orthogonal design was applied to 233 confirmed subjects based on the three most influential factors and the three most frequently used levels. Nine programs were designed. Subjects were assigned to four subgroups according to age and gender; each subject underwent one of the nine programs randomly. We selected Tianshu (ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai (CV 6). The scores of symptoms and the IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) were evaluated after the final treatment. Results After treatment, clinical symptoms of all patients were significantly improved ( P = 0.001). Quality of life also improved significantly ( P P = 0.01). Duration was the dominating factor for quality of life ( P = 0.0001). The best combination for improving symptoms in 30–40-year-old male and female patients was two courses of 10 min each once a day, and for 41–50-year-old male and female patients it was three courses of 10 min (males) or 30 min (females) twice a day. The best combination for quality of life was three courses of 20 min once a day. No interaction was found between frequency and course, or frequency and duration. Conclusion Warming moxibustion Tianshu (ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai (CV 6) is a promising therapy for D-IBS. To acquire optimal efficacy, the three main factors (duration, frequency and treatment course) of the warming moxibustion should reach a specific quantity and be combined appropriately.

Moxibustion on Carbonyl Stress and Expression of p19ARF and p53 mRNA in Livers of D-galactose-Induced Aging Rats

This study deals with the effect of moxibustion on carbonyl stress and the expression of p19ARF and p53 mRNA in livers of subacute aging rats. The SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, model group, moxibustion group, and Vit E group. Subacute aging rats were prepared with continuous high-dose intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (D-gal). The moxibustion group received moxibustion at acupoint Shenshu (BL-23). Protein carbonyl content in livers was determined by biochemical chromatometry; p19ARF and p53 mRNA expressions were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results showed that compared with the normal group, protein carbonyl content, p19ARF, and p53 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, protein carbonyl content, p19ARF, and p53 mRNA expressions were significantly lower in the moxibustion group and Vit E group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that moxibustion at acupoint BL-23 reduced the protein carbonyl content, as well as the expression of p19ARF and p53 mRNA in livers of D-galactose-induced aging rats.