Moxibustion improved the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation donor to dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis in mice

Abstract

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is beneficial for several gastrointestinal diseases because it alters the intestinal microbiota of recipients. The efficacy of FMT is related to the microbial structure and composition of the donor. Mild moxibustion is a non‐invasive and safe traditional Chinese therapy that can regulate the gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated whether moxibustion improved the efficacy of FMT in donors using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis mouse model. Normal mice were treated with mild moxibustion at acupoints ST25 and ST36 for 7 days. DSS (2%) was administered for 7 days to induce colitis. FMT was performed on Day 8 and lasted for 7 days. The effect of FMT on mice with DSS was observed on Day 21. Using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence, we analyzed the pathology and cell proliferation after FMT in DSS mice. In addition, using 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis, we investigated the gut microbiota of mice. The results indicated that moxibustion altered the colonic microbial community and increased the relative abundance of specific bacteria without changes in morphology and physiological function in normal mice. FMT using donors with moxibustion reduced body weight loss, inflammation, abnormal microbial community structure, and the relative abundance of some bacteria. These results provide potential strategies for the safe and targeted improvement of FMT donors.

Traditional Chinese medicine in human diseases treatment: New insights of their potential mechanisms

“…A previous study found that moxibustion has a certain ability to regulate the gut microbiota (Wei et al, 2019). In this issue, the authors led by Wang (Wang, Wu, et al, 2023), found that the application of moxibustion on Tianshu (ST25) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints significantly improved weight loss, inflammation, abnormal microbial community composition, and the relative abundance of certain bacteria in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Their findings might provide new strategies for selectively targeting fecal microbiota transplantation donors.…”