Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion stimulation of"Feishu"(BL 13)and"Xinshu"(BL 15)on pathological changes of myocardium and the expression of myocardial myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD 88)protein and Caspase 3mRNA in chronic heart failure(CHF)rats

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of CHF.Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into normal(n=9)

model(n=8)

moxibustion(n=8)

medication(n=8)and moxibustion+ medication(n=8)groups.In addition

the other 6rats(3/normal and 3/model groups)were used for measuring cardiac ventricle weight and H.E.stain.The CHF model was made by intraperitoneal injection of Adriamycin(ADR

from 1to 4mg/kg

once every other day for 15days).Mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral BL13 and BL15for 15 min

once daily for 3weeks.Rats of the medication group were treated by Captopril(gavage)for 3weeks.The expression of myocardial Caspase 3mRNA and MyD 88 protein of the left ventricle was determined by quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot

respectively.Results In comparison with the normal group

the myocardial damage(cell swelling

cytoplasma vaculation

and disordered arrangement

rupture and lysis of some cardiac muscle fibers)

and the expression levels of myocardial MyD 88 protein and Caspase 3mRNA were obviously increased in the model group(P<0.01).After the interventions

the myocardial damage was relatively milder

and the expression of myocardial MyD 88 protein and Caspase 3mRNA were significantly down-regulated in the moxibustion

medication and moxibustion+medication groups in comparison with the model group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found among the 3treatment groups in the expression levels of MyD 88 protein and Caspase 3mRNA(P>0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion intervention can suppress CHF induced up-regulation of expression of myocardial MyD 88 protein and Caspase 3mRNA in rats

which may contribute to its effect in relieving myocardial injury.