Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture plus moxibustion on mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins(OPA 1

Fis 1)of hippocampal neurons in rat with Alzheimer's disease(AD)

and to explore the potential mechanism underlying acupuncture for the protection of hippocampal neuronal mitochondria.Methods Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal

sham-operation

model and acu-moxibustion groups.AD model was made by injecting Aβ1-42 into the hippocampus."Baihui"(GV 20)and"Shenshu"(BL 23)acupoints were stimulated by manual acupuncture(15min)in combination with moxibustion(15min)for two sessions of treatment

with seven consecutive treatments for one session and one day break between the two sessions.The expression of hippocampal OPA 1and Fis 1was assessed by means of Western blot and immunofluorescence technique.Results The expression level of OPA 1and Fis 1of rats in the model group was significantly lower and higher

respectively

than those of the normal and sham-operation groups(P<0.01).Acupuncture plus moxibustion intervention notably increased OPA 1and decreased Fis 1expression levels in the acu-moxibustion group compared to those of the model group(P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture combined with moxibustion produce benefit to hippocampal neurons in AD rats probably via the regulation of the mitochondrial dynamics(imbalance between fission and fusion proteins)and improvement of the mitochondrial damage of hippocampus.