Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of the SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway in mediating the protective effects of moxibustion on ovarian function in a chronic cold stress rat model. Methods A chronic cold stress model was established through ice-water immersion and cold exposure. Rats received mild moxibustion at the Guanyuan (CV4) point. Estrus cycle and ovarian morphology were assessed. Serum levels of E2, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and oxidative markers SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Ovarian transcriptome sequencing was performed. The SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 was administered to validate pathway involvement, with protein expression of SIRT1/FOXO1 and oxidative factors manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), CAT analyzed. Results Chronic cold stress prolonged the estrus cycle; disrupted ovarian structure; lowered serum E2, FSH, LH, and cAMP; increased cGMP; and induced oxidative stress (elevated MDA, reduced SOD). Transcriptome analysis linked chronic cold stress to the SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway. Chronic cold stress decreased ovarian SIRT1, FOXO1, MnSOD, and CAT protein expression but increased Ac-FOXO1. Moxibustion reversed all these alterations. Treatment with the SIRT1 inhibitor reversed the effects of moxibustion intervention on the expression of SIRT1, FOXO1, MnSOD, CAT, and Ac-FOXO1, with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion can alleviate the chronic cold stress-induced ovarian injury and oxidative stress through the SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway and its antioxidative effects.
Xia et al. (Tue,) studied this question.