Objective: To observe the effects on spatial long-term memory in the rats with vascular dementia (VD) treated with moxibustion for resolving stasis and promoting meridian circulation. Methods: The modified 2-vascular occlusion (2-VO) method was used to prepare VD animal model. The rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a moxibustion group and a western medication group, 15 rats in each one. In the moxibustion group, mild warm moxibustion was applied to "Baihui (GV 20)" "Dazhui (GV 14)" and "Shenting (GV 24)", 20 min at each point, once a day, for 3 weeks consecutively. In the western medicaion group, mouse nerve growth factor (NGF) was injected intraperitoneally, 0.18 mL/kg, once a day, for 3 weeks consecutively. Morris water maze test was used, the time of the first passing platform, the frequency of passing-platform and swimming speed in 120 s were determined of the rats in each group. Western blot were used to test the protein expressions of hippocampal Nestin and DCX. Results: At the end of three courses of treatment, compared with sham-operation group, the difference was not significant statistically in swimming speed in the model group, the moxibustion group and the western medication group separately (all P > 0.05). Three days after modeling, the mean of escape latency was prolonged obviously in the modeled rats compared with the rats in the sham-operation group (88.84 +/- 19.94 vs 18.15 +/- 9.41, P < 0.01). At the end of three courses of treatment, compared with the sham-operation group (22.01 +/- 10.07), the mean of escape latency was different statistically in the model group (89.18 +/- 19.70), the moxibustion group (37.21 +/- 13.31) and the western medication group separately (51.50 +/- 16.15), all P < 0.01. Compared with the model group, the mean of escape latency was shortened in the moxibustion group and western medication group respectively (37.21 +/- 13.31 vs 89.18 +/- 19.70, 51.50 +/- 16.15 vs 89.18 +/- 19.70, both P < 0.01). Compared with the western medication group, there was no statistical significant difference in the mean of escape latency in the moxibustion group (37.21 +/- 13.31 vs 51.50 +/- 16.15, P > 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the frequency of passing-platform was decreased in the model group (0.73 +/- 0.96 vs 2.60 +/- 1.45, P < 0.01); compared with model group, the frequency of passing-platform was increased in the moxibustion group and the western medicine group and the statistically significant difference presented in the moxibustion group (2.06 +/- 1.33 vs 0.73 +/- 0.96, P < 0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, the time of first passing-platform was prolonged in the model group (87.86 +/- 33.25 vs 36.13 +/- 29.76, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the time of first passing-platform was shortened in the moxibustion group and the western medicine group respectively (49.53 +/- 29.48 vs 87.86 +/- 33.25, P < 0.01; 58.98 +/- 36.22 vs 87.86 +/- 33.25, P < 0.05). After three courses of treatment, compared with the sham-operation group, Nestin expression was reduced in the model group, (0.33 +/- 0.12 vs 0.51 +/- 0.02, P < 0.05) and was increased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group respectively (1.33 +/- 0.17 vs 0.51 +/- 0.02, 1.39 +/- 0.10 vs 0.51 +/- 0.02, both P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, Nestin expression was increased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group, respectively (1.33 +/- 0.17 vs 0.33 +/- 0.12, 1.39 +/- 0.10 vs 0.33 +/- 0.12, both P < 0.01). Compared with the western medication group, the difference was not significant statistically in the moxibustion group (1.33 +/- 0.17 vs 1.39 +/- 0.10, P > 0.05). After three courses of treatment, compared with the sham-operation group, DCX expression was decreased in the model group, but without significant difference (0.44 +/- 0.20 vs 0.51 +/- 0.26, P > 0.05), the expression was increased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group respectively (0.98 +/- 0.25 vs 0.51 +/- 0.26, P < 0.05; 1.11 +/- 0.43 vs 0.51 +/- 0.26, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, DCX expression was obviously increased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (0.98 +/- 0.25 vs 0.44 +/- 0.20, 1.11 +/- 0.43 vs 0.44 +/- 0.20, both P < 0.01). The difference in DCX expression was not statistically significant between the western medication group and the moxibustion group (0.98 +/- 0.25 vs 1.11 +/- 0.43, P > 0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion apparently improves the long-term memory in VD rats. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of World Journal of Acupuncture Moxibustion House.
