[Effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA in spleen and the contents of serum IL-2, TNF-alpha in menopausal rats].

Objective: To observe the influence of preventive acupuncture (PA) and preventive moxibustion (PM) at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the immune function in natural climacteric rats.

Methods: A total of 160 female SD rats were randomized into control, PA and PM groups, the former one group was further divided into 10 month (mon), 12 mon, 14 mon and 16 mon subgroups, and the later two groups were further divided into 12 mon, 14 mon and 16 mon subgroups, with 16 rats in each. In addition, other 16 female SD rats aged 3.5 mon were used as the young control (YC) group. "Guanyuan" (CV 4) was punctured with an acupuncture needle and the needle was retained for 20 min, or given with one ignited moxa-cone from the age of 10 mon on. The treatment was conducted twice every week, 8 weeks altogether. The expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA of the spleen tissue was detected by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively, and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha contents were assayed by using radio-immunoassay.

Results: In comparison with YC group, 1) the expression of spleen HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA increased significantly in 10 mon control (mon-C), 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups, and 14 mon-PA group (only HSP 70 mRNA) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); 2) HSP 70 expression decreased remarkably in 14 mon-C, 16 mon-C and 16 mon-PA groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); 3) IL-2 contents decreased evidently in 12 mon-C and 14 mon-C groups, and TNF-alpha contents increased obviously in 12 mon-PM, 12 mon-PA and 16 mon-C groups (P < 0.05). In comparison with the corresponding same age control groups, HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA expression increased significantly in 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups, 14 mon-PM and 16 mon-PM (HSP 70 only), 14 mon-PA (HSP 70 mRNA only) groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); IL-2 level of 12 mon-PM group, and TNF-alpha contents of 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups increased markedly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between PM and PA groups in most different age groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Both preventive acupuncture and preventive moxibustion can upregulate the expression of spleen HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels, which may contribute to their effects in enhancing the immune function in menopausal rats.