Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion and acupuncture on apoptosis in gastric mucosal cell and expression of NF-κB

Bcl-2 in chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG) rats

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CAG. Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model

moxibustion and acupuncture groups

with 12 rats in each group. The CAG model was established by gavage of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine(MNNG) solution and irregular diet for 12 weeks. Moxibustion or acupuncture was applied to "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Zhongwan"(CV12) for 15 min

once daily for two weeks in the moxibustion or acupuncture group. The histopathological changes of the gastric mucosa were observed by HE staining. The apoptosis index of gastric mucosa was measured by TUNEL method. The gene expression levels of NF-κB and Bcl-2 were detected by real-time PCR. Results After modeling

the color of gastric mucosa was pale and dark

with low folds and significant bleeding points. The glands in lamina propria were atrophied

arranged disorderly

and the numbers were significantly reduced

with inflammatory cells infiltrated. Those histopathological changes were evidently milder in the moxibustion and acupuncture groups. Compared with the normal group

the apoptosis index

NF-κB and Bcl-2 gene expression of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01). After the treatment

the apoptosis index

NF-κB and Bcl-2 gene expression were significantly reduced in the moxibustion and acupuncture groups(P<0.05

P<0.01). The NF-κB expression was lower in the acupuncture group than that of moxibustion group(P<0.01). Conclusion Moxibustion and acupuncture therapy can improve the injury of gastric mucosa in CAG rats

which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of NF-κB and Bcl-2 genes in the gastric mucosa.