Objective To observe the effect of Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread moxibustion therapy on interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC)in the gastric antrum of diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)rats

so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improving DGP.Methods Sprague-Dawley(SD)male rats were randomly divided into 3groups:control(n=30)

model(n=30)and moxibustion(n=30).The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)and by feeding the rats with high fat-sugar forage.Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread moxibustion was applied to"Zhongwan"(CV 12)

bilateral"Pishu"(BL 20)

"Weishu"(BL 21)

"Neiguan"(PC 6)and "Zusanli"(ST 36)once per day

for 3weeks except weekends.The gastrointestinal propulsion rate and weight of stool in 24 hwere determined

and c-kit(a marker for ICC)expression of the gastric antrum tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.Results The stool weight was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group(P<0.01)

but the rate of gastrointestinal propulsion and the rate of c-kit immunoreaction(IR)positive cells in the gastric antrum tissue were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group(P<0.01).After moxibustion

the increased stool weight and the decreased gastrointestinal propulsion rate and decreased c-kit IR-positive cell rate were reversed(P<0.01).Conclusion Zhuang-medicine medicated-thread moxibustion therapy can improve gastrointestinal function in DGP rats

which may be associated with its effect in up-regulating the expression of c-kit IR-positive ICC.