Preliminary Study On The Therapeutic Effect And Reproductive Function Of Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis Mice Using Shenque(CV8) Moxibustion Therapy

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect and the change of reproductive function in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis mice using Shenque(CV8)Moxibustion therapy.Methods:All the female ICR mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the EAT model group and the treatment group.Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis(EAT)model was replicated on mice with high iodine intake and subcutaneous immunization of porcine thyroglobulin(PTg).The treatment group was treated with Shenque(CV8)Moxibustion therapy after the EAT model was established.1)Serum TSH,TGAb,LH,FSH concentrations were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).2)The morphological changes of thyroids,ovaries and local skin tissues around CV8 were observed by HE staining.3)The expression of cytokine transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)and transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1(TRPV1)of thyroid tissues and local skin tissues around CV8 was detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).4)The estrous cycle was confirmed using vaginal smear method.5)Pregnancy ability was observed after treatment.Results:1)Comparing with the two other groups,the mice from EAT model group presented severe congestion,swollen and inflammatory cells infiltration,degeneration,and necrosis of follicular epithelial cells in thyroid tissues,along with abnormal production of thyroglobulin.The serum LH concentrations were significantly lower(P<0.05).The serum TGAb concentrations were significantly higher(P<0.05).The rate of abnormal estrous cycle was significantly higher(P<0.05).There were less vaginal plugs can be observed in EAT model group.2)Comparing with the EAT model group,the mice from treatment group presented lighter congestion,swollen and inflammatory cells infiltration,degeneration,and necrosis of follicular epithelial cells in thyroid tissues,along with normal production of thyroglobulin.The serum TGAb concentrations were significantly lower(P<0.05).The rate of normal estrous cycle was significantly higher(P<0.05).The expression of TGF-?1 and TRPV1 in the local skin tissues around CV8 was enhanced significantly after treatment(P<0.05).3)However,there were no significant changes in the expression of TGF-?1 and TRPV1 in the local skin tissues around CV8 thyroid tissues(P>0.05).And there were no significant differences between groups in serum TSH,FSH concentrations.There were no significant changes in the ovary tissues(P>0.05).4)The birth rate was zero in each group.Conclusion:1)Using Moxibustion therapy on CV8 can significantly ease the inflammation in the thyroid tissues of EAT mice.We speculate that the up regulation of TGF-?1 and TRPV1 in the local skin tissues around CV8 after Moxibustion therapy may suppress the immune response,moreover,causing a down regulation of thyroid autoantibody.2)Using Moxibustion therapy on CV8 can significantly change the estrous cycle of EAT mice.However,our results cannot prove that using Moxibustion therapy can improve the birth rate of EAT mice.We still need more statistics and replicate experiments to confirm our point of view.