Therapeutic effects of moxibustion precondition on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Objective: To study the therapeutic effects of moxibustion preconditioning on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods: One hundred and thirty healthy male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups: electroacupuncture preconditioning group (n=30) and moxibustion preconditioning group (n=30), aspirin preconditioning group (n=30), model group (n=30) and blank control group (n=10). Statistical analysis was performed on the neurobehavioral scores, brain water content, relative expression of miRNA664 and MMP9 in five groups. Results: Compared with the control group, the neurobehavioral scores, brain water content and relative expression of miRNA664 in electroacupuncture, aspirin preconditioning group and model group increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the neurobehavioral scores, brain water content and relative expression of miRNA664 decreased in the electroacupuncture, aspirin preconditioning group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of MMP9 in the electroacupuncture, aspirin and moxibustion preconditioning group and model group increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of MMP9 decreased in the electroacupuncture, aspirin preconditioning group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion preconditioning can reduce cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats, and decrease the expression of miRNA664 and MMP9.