Effect of Moxibustion on Hyperhomocysteinemia and Oxidative Stress Induced by High‐Methionine Diet

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of moxibustion on the animal model of oxidative stress and cardiovascular injury induced by high-methionine diet (2% methionine and 3.5% fat on the basis of ordinary maintenance feed) during 12 weeks. Methods. 53 mice were divided into four groups: mice in the Control group (n = 8), mice in the Met group (n = 15), mice in the Met + Moxibustion group (n = 15), and mice in the Met + Smoke group (n = 15). After 12 weeks of intervention, homocysteine (Hcy), S-adenosine homocysteine (SAH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), oxygenized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were determined in the serum and aortic homogenate. Results. Compared with the Met group, our results indicated that through moxibustion intervention, the content of serum Hcy and its intermediate metabolite SAH can be reduced to a certain extent, and SOD, HO-1, and ox-LDL can be increased. Conclusion. This study showed moxibustion’s ability to enhance the body’s antioxidation and protect vascular endothelial function, thus playing an early role in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Grain-sized moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) promotes hepatic autophagy in rats with hyperlipidemia by regulating the ULK1 and TFEB expression through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway

“…In our research, we discovered that moxibustion had a greater effect on lipoproteins than triglycerides and was capable of reducing levels of serum LDL while increasing HDL levels. We postulated that this might be due to the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of moxibustion, which may improve the lipid environment by ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation [ [31] , [32] , [33] ]. Lipoproteins serve the function of regulating serum lipids, while triglycerides are merely a product of this process.…”

Moxibustion as adjuvant therapy for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy have demonstrated to be potential treatments for a variety of sex hormone-related diseases, such as premature ovarian failure and perimenopausal syndrome,39–42 as they can improve levels of oestrogen (estradiol, progesterone and prolactin)40 Moxibustion has been shown to regulate circulating levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone in the ovaries of perimenopausal rats as well as to inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis through the Forkhead box Protein O1 and JAK2/STAT3 pathway, similar to exogenous oestrogen supplementation 41. Moxibustion also improves the antioxidant stress-related genes HO-1 and NQO-1 and their protein levels, and enhances antioxidant capacity 43 44. In addition, moxibustion has anti-inflammatory potential, resulting in local or systematical reduction of IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α levels,45 46 for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, lumbar disc herniation, periarthritis of shoulder and fatigue 45–48.…”

The Mechanism Study of Moxa Combustion Products on Regulating Vascular Endothelial Function in Atherosclerotic Mice

“…The clinical application of moxibustion and MS was recorded in “Handbook of Prescription for Emergency.” The original text was “in order to cut off the spread of pestilence, the moxa floss can be ignited and placed around the patient's bed to eliminate the virus infection.” Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in 2020, MS has been used to sterilize the air in China and is also reported to have anti-inflammatory effect to regulate autonomic functions [ 14 – 17 ]. Besides, animal experiments on AS showed that the moxibustion or MS may treat cardiovascular diseases by improving the lipid metabolism, affecting the antioxidant capacity and reducing the oxidative stress damage [ 18 – 20 ].…”

“…The AS in ApoE −/− mice could be prevented or treated by the intervention of moxibustion or MCPs, improving the lipid metabolism, reducing the inflammatory response, and so on [ 19 , 20 ]. However, the mechanism of MCP and its related components affecting the vascular endothelial function and improving AS was still unclear.…”

“…Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in 2020, MS has been used to sterilize the air in China and is also reported to have anti-inflammatory effect to regulate autonomic functions [14][15][16][17]. Besides, animal experiments on AS showed that the moxibustion or MS may treat cardiovascular diseases by improving the lipid metabolism, affecting the antioxidant capacity and reducing the oxidative stress damage [18][19][20].…”