Objective To study the mechanism of moxibustion in postponing the process of aging.Methods Thirty Wistar rats were equally randomized into control

model and moxibustion groups.The subacute aging model was established by hypodermic injection of 25% D-galactose(125 mg/kg).Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Shenshu"(GV 23) and "Pishu"(GV 20) once everyday for 6 weeks.After slicing

the pineal gland tissue was stained with HE and insitu hybridization methods respectively for detecting the quantity of pinealocytes and the expression of heat shock protein(HSP 70).Results Compared with the control group

both the quantity of pinealocytes and the expression of HSP 70 in the pineal gland in the model group were downregulated significantly(P<0.001

P<0.01).Compared with model group

the quantity of pinealocytes and of HSP 70 mRNA in the pineal gland of moxibustion group were upregulated significantly(P<0.01

P<0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can suppress aging induced decrease of pinealocyte number and HSP 70 expression in subacute aging rats

which may contribute to its effect in postponing aging.