隔药饼灸对动脉粥样硬化粪便来源外囊泡miRNA的影响OA

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which herbal-cake partition moxibustion prevents and treats atherosclerosis(AS)by examining its regulatory effects on extracellular vesicles(EVs)miRNAs derived from colonic feces in AS rabbits.Methods New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,and a moxibustion group.The model and moxibustion groups were fed a high-fat diet(110-120 g·d-1)for 12 consecutive weeks to induce AS.The moxibustion group received treatment at two alternating sets of acupoints for 12 weeks:Set A:Juque(CV14),Tianshu(ST25),Fenglong(ST40);Set B:Xinshu(BL15),Ganshu(BL18),Pishu(BL20).Moxibustion was applied once daily,four moxa cones per acupoint.After the intervention,serum lipid profiles were assessed,and pathological changes in the aorta were examined using HE and Oil Red O staining.Fecal EVs were identified using transmission electron microscopy,nanoparticle tracking analysis,and Western blotting.EVs miRNAs were then sequenced,differentially expressed miRNAs were screened,and their target genes were predicted for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.Results Therapeutic effects:Compared with the model group,the moxibustion group showed significantly lower TC,TG,and LDL-C levels and higher HDL-C levels(P<0.05).Endothelial thickening and foam cell accumulation in the aorta were markedly improved,and plaque area was reduced.miRNA expression:twenty-seven miRNAs were differentially expressed between the model and normal groups,and 18 miRNAs differed between the moxibustion and model groups.Among the latter,miRNAs with both significant expression changes and high abundance(miR-22-3p,miR-26b-5p,and let-7a-5p)were selected for further analysis.Target gene enrichment:GO analysis indicated that target genes were involved in the regulation of gene expression and protein function,including pathways related to apoptosis or tissue repair,cell adhesion,and extracellular matrix remodeling.KEGG analysis showed that enriched pathways were associated with cell adhesion,signal transduction,gene expression regulation,inflammatory responses,and metabolic regulation.Conclusion Herbal-cake partition moxibustion significantly improves lipid profiles and vascular endothelial structure in AS rabbits and reduces plaque formation.It also alters fecal EVs miRNA expression,providing a foundation for future studies on the treatment of AS from the perspective of EVs miRNAs and the gut-vascular axis.