Objective To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion(Moxi)on tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α/TNF receptor 1(TNFR1)-associated death domain(TRADD)/Fas-associated death domain(FADD)pathway-mediated apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in Crohn's disease(CD)rats

so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in the treatment of CD.Methods Forty-eight SD male rats were randomly divided into normal

model

Moxi and medication groups(n=12 rats in each).The CD model was established by intra-annual perfusion of 2

4

6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)solution(TNBS∶50% alcohol=2∶1

3 mL/kg)

once every 7 days

4 times altogether.For rats of the Moxi group

moxibustion was given to"Tianshu"(ST25)and"Qihai"(CV6)

two moxa-cones every time

once daily for 10 days.For rats of the medication group

intragastric perfusion of mesalazine solution was given twice daily for 10 days.After the treatment

the colonic epithelium tissue was sampled.The epithelial cells were purified and cultured to establish an in vitro intestinal epithelial barrier

and added with TNF-α(apro-inflammatory factor

100 ng/mL)in the culture medium for 24 hfor making an increased epithelial permeability model.The permeability of intestinal epithelial cell barrier was evaluated by detecting the fluorescence yellow transmittance of the TNF-α-incubated cell medium.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of TNFR1

TRADD

receptor-interacting protein 1(RIP1)

FADD and zinc finger protein A20(A20

a ubiquitination enzyme for inhibiting activation of TRADD and RIP1)of the cultured intestinal epithelium cells.The apoptosis of the TNF-α-incubated intestinal epithelial cells was detected by flow cytometry.Results After modeling and compared with the normal group

the fluorescence yellow transmittance of intestinal epithelia cells

apoptosis rate

and expression levels of TNFR1

TRADD

and RIP1 proteins were significantly increased(P<0.001

P<0.01)

and the expression of A20 was significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the model group.In comparison with the model group

the fluorescence yellow transmittance of intestinal epithelial cells

the apoptosis rate and expression levels of TRADD

RIP1 and FADD were remarkably down-regulated(P<0.001

P<0.01)

and the expression of A20 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01)in both the Moxi and medication groups.Conclusion Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion may down-regulate the permeability of intestinal epithelial barrier and the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells by way of suppressing TNF-α-mediated cellular apoptosis pathway of intestinal epithelium in CD rats.