ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION, HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70 AND CYTOPROTECTION

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a kind of non-specific cytoprotective protein, and its generation can be induced by acupuncture and moxibustion. In the present paper, the authors review the protective actions of HSP70 on the heart, gastric mucosa, liver, brain tissues, kidney, etc., and the relationship among acupuncture/moxibustion, heat shock protein and the cytoprotective actions. It is worth studying the cytoprotective effect of acupuncture and moxibustion by way of the resultant generation of HSP70 in the organism.