Objective To observe whether the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV 1)plays a role in moxibustion(Moxi)-induced regulation of local immune inflammatory response.Methods Fifteen C 57 BL/6 Jand 15 TRPV1

(-/-)

mice were randomly and respectively divided into blank control

Moxi-30 min and Moxi-72 hgroups(5 mice/group).The Moxi intervention([46±1]℃)was applied to the left"Zusanli"(ST 36)for 30 min.The local tissue of the left ST 36 region was collected for observing the histological changes after H.E.staining

and for counting the number of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)immunereaction(IR)-positive cells after immunofluorescence staining.Results In both C 57 BL/6 Jand TRPV 1(-/-)mice were randomly and respectively divided into blank control

Moxi-30 min and Moxi-72 hgroups(5 mice/group).The Moxi intervention([46±1]

℃)was applied to the left"Zusanli"(ST 36)for 30 min.The local tissue of the left ST 36 region was collected for observing the histological changes after H.E.staining

and for counting the number of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)immunereaction(IR)-positive cells after immunofluorescence staining.Results In both C 57 BL/6 Jand TRPV 1

(-/-)

mice

following Moxi

the local epidermis tissue was incomplete

with vague layers and arrangement of the stratum corneum(being thicker than control mice)

and visible scar tissue.The corium layer was relatively looser in the structure

and the collagenous and elastic fibers were loosened in the arrangement or absence

with an abundant inflammatory cell infiltration

vascular dilation and congestion of blood vessels

and abnormal hyperplasia of hair follicles and sebaceous glands(but without marked structural changes of the subcutaneous tissue).In C 57 BL/6 Jmice

compared with the control group

the numbers of TNF-αIR-positive cells were significantly increased in the epidermis of the Moxi-30 min group(P

<

0.05)

and in the dermis of the Moxi-30 min and-72 hgroups(P

<

0.01).In TRPV1(-/-)mice

following Moxi

the local epidermis tissue was incomplete

with vague layers and arrangement of the stratum corneum(being thicker than control mice)

and visible scar tissue.The corium layer was relatively looser in the structure

and the collagenous and elastic fibers were loosened in the arrangement or absence

with an abundant inflammatory cell infiltration

vascular dilation and congestion of blood vessels

and abnormal hyperplasia of hair follicles and sebaceous glands(but without marked structural changes of the subcutaneous tissue).In C 57 BL/6 Jmice

compared with the control group

the numbers of TNF-αIR-positive cells were significantly increased in the epidermis of the Moxi-30 min group(P

<

0.05)

and in the dermis of the Moxi-30 min and-72 hgroups(P

<

0.01).In TRPV1

(-/-)

mice

compared with the control group

the numbers of TNF-αIR-positive cells were also considerably increased in the epidermis of the Moxi-30 min group

and in the dermis of both Moxi-30 min and-72 hgroups(P

<

0.01).Comparison between the two Moxi groups showed that the number of TNF-αpositive cells was significantly lower in the dermis of the Moxi-72 hgroup than in that of the Moxi-30 min group in C 57 BL/6 Jmice(P

<

0.01)

and significantly lower in both the epidermis and dermis of the Moxi-72 hgroup than in those of the Moxi-30 min group in TRPV1(-/-)mice

compared with the control group

the numbers of TNF-αIR-positive cells were also considerably increased in the epidermis of the Moxi-30 min group

and in the dermis of both Moxi-30 min and-72 hgroups(P

<

0.01).Comparison between the two Moxi groups showed that the number of TNF-αpositive cells was significantly lower in the dermis of the Moxi-72 hgroup than in that of the Moxi-30 min group in C 57 BL/6 Jmice(P

<

0.01)

and significantly lower in both the epidermis and dermis of the Moxi-72 hgroup than in those of the Moxi-30 min group in TRPV1

(-/-)

mice(P

<

0.01).Conclusion Moxibustion stimulation of ST 36 can induce structural changes of the regional epidermis and dermis of the skin and up-regulate the number of TNF-αIR-positive cells in both C 57 BL/6 Jand TRPV1(-/-)mice(P

<

0.01).Conclusion Moxibustion stimulation of ST 36 can induce structural changes of the regional epidermis and dermis of the skin and up-regulate the number of TNF-αIR-positive cells in both C 57 BL/6 Jand TRPV1

(-/-)

mice

which may contribute to its therapeutic effect via local TRPV 1-independent immunoregulation.