Effect of Moxibustion on Hyperhomocysteinemia and Oxidative Stress Induced by High-Methionine Diet

Abstract EN

Objective.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of moxibustion on the animal model of oxidative stress and cardiovascular injury induced by high-methionine diet (2% methionine and 3.5% fat on the basis of ordinary maintenance feed) during 12 weeks.

Methods.

53 mice were divided into four groups: mice in the Control group (n = 8), mice in the Met group (n = 15), mice in the Met + Moxibustion group (n = 15), and mice in the Met + Smoke group (n = 15).

After 12 weeks of intervention, homocysteine (Hcy), S-adenosine homocysteine (SAH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), oxygenized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were determined in the serum and aortic homogenate.

Results.

Compared with the Met group, our results indicated that through moxibustion intervention, the content of serum Hcy and its intermediate metabolite SAH can be reduced to a certain extent, and SOD, HO-1, and ox-LDL can be increased.

Conclusion.

This study showed moxibustion’s ability to enhance the body’s antioxidation and protect vascular endothelial function, thus playing an early role in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.