Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion at"Ganshu"(BL18)on levels of Livin(a novel member of the inhibitors of apoptosis family and plays crucial roles in apoptosis

cell proliferation

and cell cycle control)in the liver tissue in rats with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of HCC.Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10)

model group(n=20)

moxibustion-20dgroup(n=15)and moxibustion-40dgroup(n=15).HCC model was established by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine(DEN

50mg/kg)

once every 3days for 12weeks.Moxibustion was applied to bilateral"Ganshu"(BL 18)

once every other day for 10times(moxibustion-20dgroup)and 20times(moxibustion-40dgroup)

respectively.Serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)content was detected with ELISA and Livin immunoactivity of the liver tissue detected using immunohistochemistry.Results After modeling

serum AFP content and liver Livin immunoactivity of the model group were significantly increased in comparison with the control group(P<0.01).After moxibustion treatment

serum AFP content in the moxibustion-20dgroup and liver Livin immunoactivity in both moxibustion-20dand moxibustion-40dgroups were remarkably down-regulated in comparison with the model group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between the moxibustion-40dgroup and the model group in serum AFP content(P>0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can down-regulate liver Livin protein expression

which probably has a role in promoting hepatocellular apoptosis to inhibit precancerous lesion and to postpone hepatocarcinogenesis.