Objective

2

To observe the regulatory effects of moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the synthesis of extragonadal estradiol (E

2

) and the expression of est

rogen receptor (ER) in ovariectomized rats

aiming to explore the mechanism of moxibustion treatment for perimenopausal syndrome.

Methods

2

Forty-eight SD female rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a sham-operation group

a model group and a moxibustion group

with 16 rats in each group. The model group and the moxibustion group underwent bilateral ovariectomy by the back incision method. Ten days after surgery

moxibustion was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4) in the moxibustion group

30 min each time

once a day for 10 days. After intervention

in the 3 groups

the body mass and uterus weight were measured; the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

luteinizing hormone (LH) and E

2

as well as the skin and hypothalamus levels of E

2

were detected by ELISA; the mRNA expression of aromatase (P450arom) in the skin and hypothalamus was detected by real-time PCR; the expression of ERα and ERβ in the hypothalamus

skin

and uterus was observed by immunofluorescence staining

and the density of positive cells was calculated using the Aipathwell digital pathology image analysis software.

Results

2

Compared with the sham-operation group

the body mass was increased (

P

<

0.01) and the uterus weight was decreased (

P

<

0.001) in the model group. Compared with the model group

the body mass was decreased in the moxibustion group (

P

<

0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group

in the model group

the serum

hypothalamus and skin levels of E

2

were decreased (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05)

while the serum levels of FSH and LH were increased (

P

<

0.01); the expression of ERα and ERβ in the skin

hypothalamus and uterus was decreased (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.001). Compared with the model group

in the moxibustion group

the serum levels of E

2

and LH

as well as the hypothalamus and skin

levels of E

2

were increased (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01); the mRNA expression of P450arom

as well as the expression of ERα and ERβ in the skin and hypothalamus were increased (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) reduces the body mass of ovariectomized rats by enhancing the synthesis of extragonadal E

2

and increasing the expression of ER in the skin and hypothalamus

yet it does not alleviate uterine atrophy.