[Influence of electroacupuncture combined with intensive moxibustion intervention on pathological changes of kidney and ureter tissues, plasma and uterine Ca2+, creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels in calcium oxalate stone rats].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation combined with moxibustion (MOX) on changes of the kidney and ureter tissue, plasma and uterine Ca2+, creatinine (Or) and urea nitrogen (UN) concentrations in rats with renal calcium oxalate stone, so as to reveal its mechanism underlying relieving kidney stone.

METHODS

A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomized into control group, model group, EA plus MOX of "Pangguangshu" (BL 28), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Zhishi" (BL 52) (routine EA-MOX group), EA-intensive (INT) MOX of "Shenshu" (BL 23, EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 group) and EA-INT-MOX-Ashi group (12 rats/group). Renal calcium oxalate stone model was established by feeding the animalwith 1% ethylene alcohol and 1% ammonium chloride for 7 days. EA was applied to BL 28, SP 6, BL 52, BL 23, and Ashi-point for 15 min, respectively. For rats of the EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 group, EA intervention was applied to the superficial, medium and deep layers of BL 23 for 5 min, respectively, and INT MOX was given for 11 - 13 min. Plasma and uterine Ca2+ conctents were detected by absorption spectrometry, plasma and urine Cr contents determined by sarcosine oxidase method. Blood UN (BUN) level was determined by enzyme coupling rate method and uric acid (UA) detected by photoelectric colorimetry method.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion, space enlargement in the glomerulus and renal interstitium, and unsmooth of the ureter wall with exfoliated necrosis tissue in the ureter were seen in the model group. These situations were relatively milder in the routine EA-MOX, EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 and EA-INT-MOX-Ashi groups. In comparison with the control group, plasma and uterine Ca2+ Cr, BUN, and UA levels were increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01). While compared to the model group, plasma and uterine Ca2+ Cr, BUN, and UA levels were down-regulated considerably (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the three treatment groups, and the effects of both EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 and EA-INT-MOX-Ashi groups were significantly superior to those of the routine EA-MOX group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

EA plus intensive moxibustion can effectively lower plasma and uterine Ca2+, Cr, BUN and UA levels, and improve pathological changes of the kidney in kidney stone rats, which may contribute to its effect in bettering renal function. The effect of EA plus intensive moxibustion is markedly better than that of routine EA plus moxibustion in lowering plasma and urine biochemical indexes.