Objective

2

To observe the effects of moxibustion at the points of governor vessel on cognitive function and gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice

and explore the mechanism of moxibustion at governor vessel in treatment of AD.

Methods

2

Eighteen APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into a model group and a moxibustion group

with 9 mice in each group; and the other 9 C57BL/6J mice were collected as a blank group. In the moxibustion group

mild-warm moxibustion was operated at "Baihui" (GV20)

suspended moxibustion was at "Fengfu" (GV16) and "Dazhui" (GV14)

20 min in each intervention. Moxibustion was delivered once daily for 2 weeks. The water maze test and the novel object recognition experiment were employed to evaluate the cognitive function of mice

and the contents of β-amyloid 40 (Aβ40)

β-amyloid 42 (Aβ42)

tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the hippocampus of mice were detected by ELISA

the morphology of hippocampal tissues was observed by HE staining

and the structure of fecal gut microbiota in mice was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The correlation of gut microbiota with the hippocampal Aβ40

Aβ42

TNF-α and IL-6 contents was analyzed.

Results

2

Compared with the blank group

in the model group

the escape latency was extended (

P

<

0.01)

the number of platform crossings decreased (

P

<

0.01)

the target quadrant residence time ratio was reduced (

P

<

0.01); the preference index in the novel object experiment increased (

P

<

0.001)

and the discrimination coefficient decreased (

P

<

0.001). The contents of Aβ40

Aβ42

TNF-α and IL-6 in the hippocampus rose (

P

<

0.05)

the hippocampal neuron structure was imcomplete

with irregular size and arrangement

the neurons were vacuolar and some showed pyknosis and were reduced in number. ACE

Chao1 and Shannon indexes decreased (

P

<

0.001) and the Simpson index rose (

P

<

0.001). The relative abundance of

Proteobacteria

and

Deferribacteres

was reduced (

P

<

0.001)

that of

Lactobacillus

and

Pasteurella

was elevated (

P

<

0.01)

while that of

Alistipes

decreased (

P

<

0.01). Compared with the model group

in the moxibustion group

the escape latency was shortened (

P

<

0.05)

the n

umber of crossing the platform increased (

P

<

0.05)

and the target quadrant residence time ratio was higher (

P

<

0.05); the preference index decreased (

P

<

0.001)

and the discrimination coefficient increased (

P

<

0.001). The contents of Aβ40

Aβ42

TNF-α and IL-6 in the hippocampus decreased (

P

<

0.01). Hippocampal tissue injury was attenuated. ACE

Chao1 and Shannon indexes increased (

P

<

0.05)

and Simpson index decreased (

P

<

0.05). The relative abundance of

Proteobacteria

and

Deferribacteres

increased (

P

<

0.05)

that of

Lactobacillus

decreased (

P

<

0.001). The correlation was presented between gut microbiota and the contents of hippocampal Aβ40

Aβ42

TNF-α and IL-6 in the moxibustion group.

Conclusion

2

Moxibustion at governor vessel points can improve cognitive function in AD mice

reduce Aβ accumulation

inhibit neuroinflammation

which may be related to the recovery of gut microbiota homeostasis.