Assessing the impact of moxibustion on colonic mucosal integrity and gut microbiota in a rat model of cerebral ischemic stroke: insights from the “brain-gut axis” theory

I can't see any use for this unless we are talking about extra sensation caused by the pain this produces.

Impossible for acupuncture to have effects except as a placebo. Energy meridians have never been proven to exist.

No mechanism of action is possible.

Moxibustion is a form of therapy that entails the burning of mugwort leaves. This is a small, spongy herb that is believed to enhance healing with acupuncture. As such, the leaves are burnt close to the skin's surface using a stick to apply heat.‌ The practice is derived from Chinese medicine.

 Assessing the impact of moxibustion on colonic mucosal integrity and gut microbiota in a rat model of cerebral ischemic stroke: insights from the “brain-gut axis” theory

Yi-Xia Ding^{1 ,2 ,3 †}Liang-Liang Chen^{2 ,3 ,4 †}Kui-Wu Li⁵Ling Zou⁵Lu-Min Liao⁵Xiao-Yu Han⁵Jie OuYang⁵Yue-Ping Wu⁵Wen-Dong Zhang^{1 ,2 ,3}Hao Ran Chu^{2 ,3 ,6 *}

• ¹Department of Encephalopathy (V), The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (Anhui Acupuncture Hospital), Hefei, Anhui, China
• ²Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
• ³Anhui Clinical Medical Research Center of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Hefei, Anhui, China
• ⁴Department of Spleen and Stomach Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (Anhui Acupuncture Hospital), Hefei, Anhui, China
• ⁵Graduate School of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
• ⁶Outpatient Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (Anhui Acupuncture Hospital), Hefei, Anhui, China

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier and gut microbiota in a rat model of cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS).

Method: The CIS rat model was established using the modified Zea Longa suture method. Successfully modeled rats were randomly allocated into a model group and a moxibustion group, with a sham surgery group serving as the control. The moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14), Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) acupoints. Neurological function was assessed using the Longa score, and brain infarct size was assessed through 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rDNA amplification sequencing. Intestinal mucosal permeability was evaluated using the FITC-Dextran tracer method. The serum ET-1 levels and the expression of Occludin and ZO-1 proteins in colonic tissues were also measured.

Result: The model group exhibited significantly higher Longa scores, larger brain infarct size, and higher serum FITC-Dextran levels and ET-1 levels when compared with the sham surgery group (p < 0.01). The model group demonstrated decreased expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in colonic tissues (p < 0.01) and changes in gut microbiota structure. When compared to the model group, the moxibustion group demonstrated significantly lower Longa scores, smaller brain infarct size, and lower serum FITC-Dextran levels and ET-1 levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the moxibustion group demonstrated decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in colonic tissues, increased expression of Occludin and ZO-1 proteins in colonic tissues (p < 0.05), enhanced gut microbiota structure, and a decreased Simpson index (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Moxibustion can improve the neurological dysfunction in CIS model rats. The mechanism may be associated with the improvement in gut microbiota dysbiosis, reduction in colonic mucosal permeability, and restoration of intestinal mucosal barrier damage.

1 Introduction

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally, with cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS) accounting for 62.4% of all stroke cases (1). CIS is characterized by a clinical syndrome resulting from inadequate blood supply to the vessels of the brain, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in the affected brain tissue, which causes neuronal damage and a series of brain function impairments (2).

The “brain-gut axis” has recently gained significant attention, with its role in CIS prevention and treatment gaining widespread recognition (3, 4). The gut microbiota, a crucial regulator of the brain-gut axis, influences the physiological and pathological states of both the gut and brain through neural, immune, and endocrine pathways (5). Patients post-stroke often experience gut microbiota dysbiosis, increased intestinal mucosal permeability, decreased expression of tight junction proteins, and damage to the mucosal barrier. These changes can lead to bacterial translocation and immune-inflammatory responses, further exacerbating neurological damage (3). Consequently, targeting the gut microbiota presents a promising therapeutic strategy for CIS (6–8).

Moxibustion therapy has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurological function and reducing complications in CIS; however, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Therefore, we propose the hypothesis that moxibustion intervention can improve CIS nerve function damage by regulating intestinal microbiota structure and improving intestinal barrier damage. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of moxibustion on neurological function impairment and gut microbiota in a rat model of CIS, and to preliminarily assess its mechanistic pathways.

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