Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion treatment on the expression of Nogo-A

Nogo receptor(NgR)

neurotrophin receptor p75(p75 NTR) and leucine rich repeat and Ig domain containing 1(Lingo-1) in brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CI/RI)

so as to analyze its mechanism underlying improvement of CI/RI. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(16 rats)

model group(17 rats)

NEP1-40(extracellular peptide residues 1-40

a blocker targeting NgR) group(model+blocker

17 rats) and moxibustion group(model+moxibustion

17 rats). The CI/RI model was established by occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery(MCAO). Moxibustion was applied to “Baihui”(GV20)

right “Quchi”(LI11) and “Zusanli”(ST36) for 20 min

once a day for 14 days

with 2 days' rest after the top 7 days' intervention. For rats of the NEP1-40 group

30 μL PBS containing 18 μg NEP 1-40 was injected into the epidural inferior vena(L5-S1) via a polyvinyl chloride conduit. The neurological deficit state in each group was evaluated by Longa's 5-point scale and Feeney's 7-point scale of beam walking test(BWT). The cerebral infarct volume was assessed by 2

3

5-triphenyltetrazole chloride staining. The brain tissue between the central anterior and posterior sulcus was taken for observing the expression of NgR and Lingo-1 by fluorescence double-label method

and for determining the expression levels of Nogo-A

NgR

p75 NTR and Lingo-1 mRNAs and proteins by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot

respectively. Results After modeling

the Longa's score

infarct volu-me percent

expression levels of Nogo-A

NgR

Lingo-1 and p75 NTR mRNAs and proteins were significantly increased(P<0.01) and BWT score was obviously decreased(P<0.01) in the model group relevant to the sham operation group. In comparison with the model group

the increase of Longa's score

infarct volume percentage

expression levels of Nogo-A

NgR

Lingo-1 and p75 NTR mRNAs and proteins and decrease of BWT score in NEP1-40 and moxibustion groups were reversed(P<0.01) except Nogo-A protein in the NEP1-40 group. The effect of moxibustion was significantly superior to that of blocker NEP1-40 in redu-cing the infarct volume percentage

and down-regulating the expression of Nogo-A mRNA and protein

p75 NTR mRNA and protein

NgR and Lingo-1 proteins(P<0.01

P<0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion

similar to blocker NEP1-40 of NgR

can improve neurological dysfunction in CI/RI rats

which may be related to its functions in reducing cerebral infarction and down-regulating the activity of Nogo/neurotrophin receptor signaling pathway.