Huayutongluo Moxibustion Regulating The MBP And GFAP Expression In The White Frontal Cortex Of SVD Rats Model

Objective:The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Huayu Tongluo Moxibustion on the learning, memory and neuroethological scores in rats with subcortical vascular dementia(SVD) and the difference of the expression of oligodendroglia specific proteins including myelin basic protein(MBP), astrocyte specific protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), to explore the potential mechanism of Huayu Tongluo Moxibustion in treating SVD and to provide theoretical evidence for the clinical treatment.Methods:Totally 90 adult male SPF Wistar Rats weighted 250±25 g were selected and randomized into normal group(10 rats), pseudo-operation group(10) and SVD group(70). 30 rats from the SVD group were finally preserved according to the scores of the latent phase via the step-down test and were randomly divided into three groups:moxibustion group, model group and western medicine group, with 10 rats in each group. The moxibustion group was given moxibustion therapy at DU20, DU14 and DU24 once a day with a cycle of 4 weeks. The western medicine group was given donepezil via intragastric administration. Besides routine feeding, no special treatment was given to the pseudo-operation group, model group or normal group.After the treatment, step-down testing and neuroethological scores determined and the difference of the expression of oligodendroglia specific proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:On Day 4 after modeling, the rats in the model group presented with shorter latent period, increased errors and neuroethological scores compared with the pseudo-operation group(P<0.01), suggesting the success of modeling. After one cycle of treatment, compared with the model group, the latent periods in the moxibustion group and the western medicine group significantly increased(P<0.01). The errors and neuroethological scores both significantly decreased(P < 0.05). Compared with the western medicine group, the latent periods in the moxibustion group significantly increased(P < 0.05), and the errors and neuroethological scores both significantly decreased(P<0.01).In respect of MBP expression, compared with the model group, the moxibustion group and the western medicine group both presented with significantly increased MBP expression(P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in MBP expression between the moxibustion group and the western medicine group(P>0.05). Compared with the normal group, the moxibustion group, the western medicine group and the model group all presented with significantly increased MBP expression(P<0.01 or P< 0.05). The pseudo-operation group and the normal group showed no significant difference in MBP expression(P>0.05).In respect of GFAP expression, compared with the model group, the moxibustion group and the western medicine group both presented with significantly decreased GFAP expression(both P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in GFAP expression between the moxibustion group and the western medicine group(P>0.05).Compared with the normal group, the moxibustion group, the western medicine group and the model group all presented with significantly increased GFAP expression(P<0.01 or P<0.05). But The pseudo-operation group and the normal group showed no significant difference in GFAP expression(P>0.05).Conclusion:1. Huayu Tongluo Moxibustion could significantly improve the learning and memorizing abilities and reduce the neuroethological scores in SVD rats, which might be effective for treating SVD.2. Huayu Tongluo Moxibustion could effectively promote the MBP expression in SVD rats to be the repair and regulation of the neurovascular unit,and inhibit GFAP expression in SVD rats, which might be the mechanism of action for its clinical application for treating SVD.3. Huayu Tongluo Moxibustion could effectively inhibit GFAP expression in SVD rats to be the repair and regulation of the neurovascular unit, which might be the mechanism of action for its clinical application for treating SVD.