Effects of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on the expression levels of PGF2α, E2, P, and mRNAs of PGF2αR and E2R in rats with primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness stagnation

Objective To observe the effects of ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4) on the expression levels of endocrine-related molecules and their receptors in rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) due to cold-dampness stagnation, thus to explore their analgesic mechanisms. Methods Thirty-two female Wistar rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group, and a Western medicine group according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Except for rats in the normal group, all other rats were treated with oxytocin combined with ice-water bath to establish the rat models of PD due to cold-dampness stagnation. After successful modeling, rats in the normal group and the model group did not receive treatment; rats in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group received treatments with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4); rats in the Western medicine group received ibuprofen by intragastric administration. The writhing response of rats was compared among groups, and the serum levels of prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ), estrogen (estradiol, E 2 ), progesterone (P), and the mRNA expression of PGF 2α and E 2 receptors in the uterine tissues were detected. Results No writhing behavior was observed in the normal group; compared with the normal group, the serum PGF 2α and E 2 levels in the model group were increased ( P