title: Effects of Herb-Partitioned Moxibustion on the miRNA Expression Profiles in Colon from Rats with DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis.
abstract: Objective.This study explored the mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion (HM) on dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced ulcerative colitis (UC) from the miRNA perspective.Methods.Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups [normal control (NC) group, UC model (UC) group, and herb-partitioned moxibustion (UCHM) group]. The UC and UCHM groups were administered 4% DSS for 7 days. The UCHM group received HM at the Tianshu (bilateral, ST25). The effect of HM on UC was observed and the miRNA expression profile in the colon tissues was analyzed.Results.Compared with the UC group, the body weights were significantly higher in the UCHM group on day 14 (P< 0.001); the macroscopic colon injury scores and microscopic histopathology scores in the UCHM group decreased (P< 0.05); and there were 15 differentially expressed miRNAs in the UCHM group. The changes in miR-184 and miR-490-5p expression levels on the UC were reversed by HM intervention. Validation using qRT-PCR showed that two miRNAs expression trend was consistent with the sequencing results.Conclusion.HM at ST25 might regulate miR-184 and miR-490-5p expression, act on the transcription of their target genes to regulate inflammatory signaling pathways, and attenuate inflammation and tissue injury in the colons of rats with DSS-induced UC.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Yueyang Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Meng
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9075-6036
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Chuan-Zi
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Rong
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5132-1141
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4636-5294
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
authors.forename: Huan-Gan
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1725-6881
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wu