[Effects of moxibustion on the expression of IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6 mRNA and protein in the cerebral cortex in tumor-bearing mice].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of moxibustion on the expression of IL-1beta, IL-2 and IL-6 proteins and mRNA in the cerebral cortex in tumor-bearing mice so as to study its mechanism underlying immunomodulation.

METHODS:

Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into control, tumor-bearing, non-acupoint moxibustion (N-AM) and acupoint-moxibustion (AM) groups (n = 10/group). Moxibustion was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14), once every other day for 6 times. The expression of IL-1beta mRNA, IL-2 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization, and the immunoactivity of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-2 determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS:

Compared to the control group, the expression levels of IL-1beta mRNA and IL-2 mRNA, IL-1beta and IL-2 in the cerebral cortex of the tumor-bearing group were down-regulated significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while those of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 up-regulated significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the tumor-bearing group, the expression of IL-1beta mRNA and IL-2 mRNA, IL-1beta and IL-2 in the cerebral cortex in AM group were increased considerably (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); while cortical IL-6 immunoactivity in N-AM group was decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and IL-6 mRNA had no significant change in N-AM group (P > 0.05). Comparison between AM and N-AM groups showed that the expression levels of cortical IL-1beta mRNA and IL-2 mRNA, and IL-1beta and IL-2 proteins of the former group were obviously higher than those of the later group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); while the immunoactivity of cortical IL-6 of AM group was significantly lower than that of N-AM group (P < 0.05). No significant difference between AM and N-AM groups in the expression of IL-6 mRNA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Moxibustion treatment can up-regulate the expression of cortical IL-1beta mRNA, IL-2 mRNA, IL-1beta and IL-2 proteins, and down-regulate the expression of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 in tumor-bearing mice, which may contribute to its effect in improving the immunosuppressing state under tumor conditions.

• Authors: Jian Pei, Hai Wei, Zhi-Dan Liu, Ying-Mei Yu, Can-Rong Ni, Huan-Gan Wu
• Journal: Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research (Zhen Ci Yan Jiu) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 243-9 (Aug 2010) ISSN: 1000-0607 [Print] China
• PMID: 21090324 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-1beta
• Interleukin-2
• Interleukin-6
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cerebral Cortex (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Interleukin-1beta (genetics, metabolism)
• Interleukin-2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Interleukin-6 (genetics, metabolism)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Moxibustion
• Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, therapy)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Random Allocation