Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion on serum adiponectin content

and expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor in adipose tissue in Alzheimer's disease(AD)rats

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of AD.Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into control

model

Shenque(CV8)

Zusanli(ST36)and CV8+ST36 groups(n=10 in each group).The AD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose(400 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 5 weeks and scopolamine hydrobromide(3 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 2 weeks.Moxibustion was applied to CV8

ST36 and CV8+ST36 respectively for 3 moxa-cones every time

once daily for 5 weeks.Morris water maze tests were used to assess the rats' learning-memory ability.The contents of serum adiponectin were assayed using ELISA

and the expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor in the adipose tissue was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot

separately.Results Following modeling

the average escape latency of Morris water maze tests was significantly prolonged(P<0.05)

the content of serum adiponectin and the expression level of adiponectin mRNA in adipose tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01)

the expression of adiponectin receptor protein significantly decreased in the model group relevant to the control group(P<0.01).After the intervention

the average escape latency was significantly shortened(P<0.05)

the decreased serum adiponectin content and adiponectin mRNA expression

and the decreased adiponectin receptor protein expression in adipose tissue were all reversed in the 3 treatment groups(P<0.01

P<0.05).No significant differences were found among the three moxibustion groups in the above indexes(P>0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion at CV8

ST36 and CV8+ST36 is effective in up-regulating serum adiponectin content

adiponectin mRNA expression and adiponectin receptor protein expression in adipose tissue

which may provide evidence for clinical election of acupoints.