title: Moxibustion Reduces Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis Associated with Perimenopause in a Natural Aging Rat Model.
abstract: In recent years, concerns about the adverse effects of hormone replacement therapy have increased interest in alternative therapies for the management of the symptoms of perimenopause. Here, we investigated the effects of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese practice that is involved in heated Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) stimulation, on hormonal imbalance and ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in a rat model of perimenopause. Our results showed that mild warm moxibustion (MWM) modulated the circulating levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone and their receptors and inhibited apoptosis in the ovaries of perimenopausal rats, similar to the effect of estrogen. Further investigation revealed that the effects of MWM on ovary tissues and cultured GCs were mediated by the modulation of the activity of Forkhead box protein O1 and involved the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Our results provide information on the factors and pathways modulated by MWM and shed light on the mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of moxibustion on the symptoms of perimenopause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiangwan Hospital, No. 22 Changzhong Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200434, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Lan
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiangwan Hospital, No. 22 Changzhong Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200434, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiangwan Hospital, No. 22 Changzhong Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200434, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Liu