Molecular biological studies of the effect of moxibustion on diabetes mellitus

研究目的：综合研究2型糖尿病合并代谢综合征大鼠各器官基因表达。通过DNA芯片分析艾灸对糖尿病的影响，揭示其代谢变化与糖尿病的发病机制和治疗有关。同时对血液和组织进行了形态学和临床病理分析。方法：以SHR(mc-cp)cp/cp大鼠和WKY大鼠为主。原计划采用荧光差示显示和实时PCR分析基因表达，但由于定量分析的可靠性更高，采用了DNA芯片。通过生理实验、条件偏好、微透析等方法了解艾灸治疗时机。结果：艾灸30 min后观察到伏隔核分泌神经递质多巴胺。条件位置偏好为正。微阵列分析显示，嗅球和附睾白色脂肪组织中大部分基因的表达发生了变化。讨论：与普遍认为艾灸的效果仅仅是由艾草燃烧产生的热量产生的观点相反，它对动物身体的影响被认为是由热量和艾草的香气结合引起的。根据本研究获得的生理和分子生物学结果，艾灸会导致大脑中基因表达的变化。这可能会改变个人的行为和慢性疾病的治疗。

Object of the study : Comprehensive studies on the gene expression in various organs of rats with diabetes mellitus type 2 and metabolic syndrome. The analysis was performed by DNA microarray to reveal the effect of moxibustion on diabetes mellitus, whose metabolic changes concerning its pathogenesis and treatment of the disease. Morphological and clinico-pathological analysis on the blood and tissues were also done.Methods : SHR(mc-cp)cp/cp rats and WKY rats were mainly employed. Gene expression had been planned to be analyzed using fluorescent differential display and real time PCR, however, DNA microarray was employed due to its higher reliability in quantitative analysis. Physiological experiments, conditioned place preference, microdialysis was added in order to know the timing for moxibustion treatment.Results : The secretion of a neurotransmitter, dopamine, was observed in the nucleus accumbens 30 min. after the moxibustion. Conditioned place preference was positive. Microarray analysis revealed gene expression changed in most number of genes in the olfactory bulb and epididymal white adipose tissue.Discussion : In contrast to a popular view on the effect of moxibustion, which is merely produced by the heat produced by the burning of moxa, its effect on the animal bodies were suggested to be provoked by the combination of heat and the aroma of moxa. Based on physiological and molecular biological results obtained in the present study, moxibustion results in the changes of gene expression in the brain. This may change the the behavior of individuals and the cure of chronic diseases.