Moxibustion on telomerase activity in aging rat

Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on telomerase activity and genes expression in tissues of senescent rats. Methods: Subacute aging rats model were established by injection with D-gal solution. Points Shenshu (BL 23) were treated with moxibustion in treatment group, contrasting with a model group and a normal group. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays(ELISA) was used for the level of telomerase activity in liver tissues, and In Situ Hybridization(ISH) was used for the condition of expression of telomerase genes in liver tissues. Results: The level of telomerase activity in the aging model group was obviously lower than that in normal control group (P<0.01), the level in moxibustion group was obviously higher than that in model group (P<0.05). In comparison with normal rats, the positive-expressed areas and photodensity of telomerase genes in aging model group were all significantly lower (P<0.01, P<0.01), and the positive-expressed areas in moxibustion group was significantly higher than that in model group (P<0.01). Conclusions: Moxibustion could regulate telomerase activity of senile rats, hence delaying aging. © Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian 2007.