Objective To observe the effects of moxibustion on contents of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha(TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) expression in the gastric mucosa tissue in rats with gastric mucosal lesion.Methods Thirty-six SD rats were randomly and equally divided into control

model and moxibustion groups.Gastric mucosal lesion model was duplicated by restraint and cool water immersion stress.Pre-moxibustion was applied to "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Zhongwan"(CV12)

"Pishu"(BL20) and "Weishu"(BL21) alternately

once everyday for 8 days before modeling.The contents of EGF and TGF-α in gastric mucosa were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and the expression of EGFR determined by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the control group

only TGF-α content in the gastric mucosa in the model group was increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group

the EGF and TGF-α contents and EGFR immunoactivity in the gastric mucosa were increased significantly in the moxibustion group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion Pre-moxibustion at ST36

CV12

BL20 and BL21 can up-regulate gastric mucosal EGF and TGF-α contents and EGFR protein expression in gastric mucosa lesion rats

which may contribute to its effect in relieving stress-induced gastric mucosal injury.