Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on expression of apoptosis-related factors in gastric antrum of diabetic gastroparesis(DGP) rats

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of DGP. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model

medication

EA

Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion(moxibustion) and EA+moxibustion(combination) groups(12 rats in each group). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ). Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of 0.15 mg/mL mosapride citrate suspension(10 mL/kg). EA(10 Hz/50 Hz

2 mA

20 min) or Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion(3 cones) was applied to “Zhongwan”(CV12)

bilateral “Neiguan”(PC6) and bilateral “Sanyinjiao”(SP6) of the related groups

once a day for 3 weeks. The blood glucose

gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of rats were measured. The apoptosis index of gastric antrum cells were observed by TUNEL staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of Caspase-3

B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) in gastric antrum were detected by Wes-tern blot and real-time quantitative PCR

respectively. Results Compared with the normal group

the blood glucose

the apoptosis index

the protein and gene expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax were significantly increased(P<0.01)

and the gastric emptying rate

intestinal propulsive rate

the protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were considerably decreased(P<0.01) in the model group. In contrast to the model group

the blood glucose in the EA

moxibustion and combination groups

the apoptosis index in the 4 treatment groups

as well as Caspase-3 protein

Bax protein and mRNA expressions in the medication

EA and combination groups

Caspase-3 protein and mRNA

Bax mRNA expressions in the moxibustion group were significantly decreased(P<0.01

P<0.05); while the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate in the 4 treatment groups

and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions in the medication and combination groups

Bcl-2 mRNA expressions in the EA and moxibustion groups were obviously increased(P<0.01). The effects of EA+moxibustion were significantly superior to those of simple EA

moxibustion or medication in increasing gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate

and in lowering blood glucose(P<0.05

P<0.01). And the effects of the combination treatment were better than those of EA in lowering Caspase-3 protein and Bax mRNA expressions(P<0.01)

and in increasing Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expressions(P<0.05

P<0.01). Also the effects of the combination treatment were better than those of moxibustion in lowering the apoptosis index

Caspase-3 protein

and Bax protein and mRNA expressions(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and in increasing Bcl-2 protein expression(P<0.05). Conclusion EA combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion can reduce blood glucose and improve gastrointestinal motility in DGP rats

which may be related to its effect in regulating of Caspase-3

Bax and Bcl-2 expression.