Objective To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedding(ACE) combined with moxibustion on the expressions of Notch receptor 1 and target genes Hes 1 and Math 1 in colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis(UC) rats

so as to reveal its mechanism of treating UC from the perspective of Notch signaling pathway. Methods Thirty SD rats were randomized into normal

model

ACE combined with moxibustion(combination)

ACE

and moxibustion groups(n=6 in each group). The UC model was established by intrarectal administration of 5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid and 50% ethyl alcohol. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Shangjuxu"(ST37)

"Tianshu"(ST25) and "Dachangshu"(BL25) for 10 min

once daily for 14 days

and ACE applied to the same 3 acupoints

once a week for two weeks. After the treatment

colonic mucosal pathological changes were observed after hematoxylin eosin(HE) stain. Protein and mRNA expressions of Notch 1

Hes 1 and Math 1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot

respectively. Results H.E. staining showed severe defect of the colonic mucosal epithelium with infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in the model group

which was milder in moxibustion

ACE and moxibustion + ACE groups. After modeling

the protein and mRNA expressions of Notch 1 and Hes 1 in the colonic mucosa were obviously increased(P<0.01)

while the protein and mRNA expressions of Math 1 were significantly decreased(P<0.01) in the model group relevant to the normal group. Following the intervention

the protein and mRNA expression levels of Notch 1 and Hes 1 in the colonic mucosa were significantly lower(P<0.05

P<0.01) in moxibustion

ACE and combination groups

the mRNA expression level of Math 1 was significantly increased in both ACE and combination groups(P<0.01)

and the protein expression of Math 1 was significantly higher in the three treatment groups relevant to the model group(P<0.01). The above indexes of moxibustion + ACE were considerably superior to those of simple ACE and simple moxibustion(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion Acupoint catgut embedding combined with moxibustion can repair the injured colonic mucosa of UC rats

which may be related with its effects in suppressing the expression of Notch 1 and Hes 1

up-regulating the expression of Math 1 in the colonic mucosa

thereby regulating the balance of differentiation between colonic epithelial secretory and absorption cell lines.