Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is beneficial for several
gastrointestinal diseases because it alters the intestinal microbiota of recipients. The efficacy of FMT is related to the microbial structure and composition of the donor. Mild
moxibustion is a non-invasive and safe traditional Chinese
therapy that can regulate the gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated whether
moxibustion improved the efficacy of FMT in donors using a
dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced
colitis mouse model. Normal mice were treated with mild
moxibustion at
acupoints ST25 and ST36 for 7 days. DSS (2%) was administered for 7 days to induce
colitis. FMT was performed on Day 8 and lasted for 7 days. The effect of FMT on mice with DSS was observed on Day 21. Using
hematoxylin and
eosin staining and immunofluorescence, we analyzed the pathology and cell proliferation after FMT in DSS mice. In addition, using 16 S
rDNA sequencing analysis, we investigated the gut microbiota of mice. The results indicated that
moxibustion altered the colonic microbial community and increased the relative abundance of specific bacteria without changes in morphology and physiological function in normal mice. FMT using donors with
moxibustion reduced
body weight loss,
inflammation, abnormal microbial community structure, and the relative abundance of some bacteria. These results provide potential strategies for the safe and targeted improvement of FMT donors.