Electroacupuncture and moxibustion attenuate the progression of renal disease in 5/6 nephrectomized rats

Abstract

Background/aim: Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem and the prevention of its progression is still a major challenge in nephrology. Specific therapies that inhibit or attenuate this process are neither available nor satisfactory. Traditional Chinese medicine has been increasingly recognized as an effective therapeutic approach in several fields of medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion (MO) in an experimental model of progressive renal disease in rats.

Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were submitted to 5/6th nephrectomy (NX) and assessed 8 weeks later and were divided into three groups: NX = only 5/6 NX, NX-AS = 5/6 NX and a 20-min EA-MO session in sham points, and NX-AM = 5/6 NX and a 20-min EA-MO session in three real acupuncture points. The treatment consisted of 16 sessions twice a week. Renal function, urine volume, serum creatinine, 24-hour proteinuria, direct and indirect blood pressure, glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis indices were assessed.

Results: The NX-AM group showed a significant decrease in all investigated parameters when compared to the control groups.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that EA and MO attenuated the progression of renal disease in the experimental model of 5/6 NX.