title: [Effects of Suspending Moxibustion at "Dazhui" (GV 14) on Neurogenic Inflammation in Asthma Rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of suspending-moxibustion stimulation of "Dazhui" (GV 14) with different quantities on the levels of nerve growth factor(NGF) , substance P(SP) , calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA) , neurokinin B (NKB) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (pERK) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthma rats, so as to analyze its mechanisms underlying improving asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank control, model, 15 min-moxibustion (15 min-moxi), 30 min-moxi, 60 min-moxi and 90 min-moxi (n = 10 rats in each group). The asthma model was established by intraperitoneal injection of suspension of egg protein, magaldrate, and inactivated Bacillus pertussis (on day 1 and 8), and inhaling the atomized ovalbumin saline (from day 15 on for 14 days). Mild moxibustion was conducted at "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 15 min, 30 min, 60 min and 90 min, respectively, once daily for 7 days. The levels of NGF, SP, CGRP, NKA, NKB, and pERK in the BALF were detected by ELISA (enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The contents of NGF, SP, CGRP, NKA, NKB and pERK in the BALF in the model group were obviously higher than those in the blank control group (P < 0.01), suggesting an apparent inflammatory reaction in rats after modeling. Following moxibustion, the levels of NGF, SP, CGRP, NKA, NKB and pERK of the four treatment groups were significantly down-regulated compared with the model group (P < 0.01). The effect of 30 min-moxi group was obviously superior to that of 15 min-moxi group (P < 0.01), and those of 60 min-moxi and 90 min-moxi groups were markedly superior to those of 15 min-moxi and 30 min-moxi groups (P < 0.01) in down-regulating NGF, SP, CGRP, NKA, NKB, and pERK levels in the BALF. No significant differences were found between the 60 min-moxi and 90 min-moxi groups in down-regulating NGF, SP, CGRP, NKA, NKB, and pERK levels (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suspending-moxibustion stimulation of GV 14 can down-regulate the contents of NGF, SP, CGRP, NKA, NKB, and pERK levels in the BALF in asthma rats, suggesting a relief of neurogenic inflammation reaction after moxibustion. The effect of moxibustion presents a time-dependant manner and peaks at 60 min.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiong
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000379:methods; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020078:Neurogenic Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D015288:Neurokinin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013373:Substance P; D015288:Neurokinin A; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor