AIM: To observe the effects of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosal cell in rats with stress-induced ulcer, and to analyze the relationship between those effects and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70). METHODS: Sixty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups, namely group A, B, C and D. The animal model of stress ulcer was established by water immersion and restraint stress. The rats in group A, B, and D served as the restraint, model, and non-acupoint controls, respectively, while those in group C received moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points. Immunohistochemical methodology was used to detect the expression of HSP70, apoptosis index (AI, x 10-6/μm2) and proliferation index (PCNA-U,×10-6/μm2). The mucosal expression of transforming growth factor a (TGF-α) was detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points significantly decreased the gastric injury and the apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells, while markedly increased the mucosal expression of TGF-αand HSP70 as well as the proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Compared with group A, ulcer index (UI) (26.8±9.8 vs 12.0±5.9, P < 0.01), AI (9.6±4.2 vs 4.4±2.6, P < 0.05) and expression of HSP70 (9.6±4.2 vs 4.4±2.6, P < 0.05) were significantly increased, but the content of TGF-α(104.7±51.2 pg/mL vs 254.0±86.9 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and PCNA-LI (6.9±4.7 vs 14.9±4.6, P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in group B. However, ulcer index values (UI) and AI were obviously lower in group C compared to groups B and D (14.1±5.4 vs 26.8±9.8 and 26.2±7.7, P < 0.01; 3.0±1.6 vs 9.6±4.2 and 8.2±5.2, P <0.05, respectively), but content of TGF-α(237.0±72.6 pg/mL vs 104.7±51.2 pg/mL and 154.1±61.3 pg/mL, P <0.01) and expression of HSP70 (0.13±0.03 vs 0.08±0.06 and 0.06±0.04, P < 0.05) were higher in group C. Furthermore, the PCNA-LI was significantly higher in group C than in group B (21.6±4.1 vs 6.9±4.7, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points has a protective effect on rats gastric mucosa in stress-induced gastric ulcer, which is closely related to its actions in promoting synthesis of TGF-αand proliferation of gastric mucosal cells, suppressing gastric mucosal cell apoptosis, and up-regulating HSP70 expression. AIM: To observe the effects of pre-moxibustion on Apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosal cell in rats with stress-induced ulcer, and to analyze the relationship between those effects and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70). METHODS: Sixty Healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups, namely group A, B, C and D. The animal model of stress ulcer was established by water immersion and restraint stress. The rats in group A, B, and D served as the restraint , model, and non-acupoint controls, respectively, while those in group C received moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points. Immunohistochemical methodology was used to detect the expression of HSP70, apoptosis index (AI, x 10-6 / μm2) (PCNA-U, × 10-6 / μm2). The mucosal expression of transforming growth factor a (TGF-α) was detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points significantly decreased the gastric injury and the apoptosis of gastr Compared with group A, ulcer index (UI) (26.8 ± 9.8 vs 12.0 ± 5.9, P <0.01), AI (9.6 ± 4.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.6, P <0.05) and expression of HSP70 (9.6 ± 4.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.6, P <0.05) were significantly increased, but the content of TGF- α (104.7 ± 51.2 pg / mL vs 254.0 P <0.01) and PCNA-LI (6.9 ± 4.7 vs 14.9 ± 4.6, P <0.05) were significantly decreased in group B. However, ulcer index values ​​(UI) and AI were obviously lower in group C compared to groups B and D (14.1 ± 5.4 vs 26.8 ± 9.8 and 26.2 ± 7.7, P <0.01; 3.0 ± 1.6 vs. 9.6 ± 4.2 and 8.2 ± 5.2, P <0.05, respectively), but content of TGF- ± 72.6 pg / mL vs. 104.7 ± 51.2 pg / mL and 154.1 ± 61.3 pg / mL, P <0.01) and expression of HSP70 (0.13 ± 0.03 vs. 0.08 ± 0.06 and 0.06 ± 0.04, P <0.05) Furthermore, the PCNA-LI was significantly higher in group C than in group B (21.6 ± 4.1 vs 6.9 ± 4. 7, P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points has a protective effect on rats gastric mucosa in stress-induced gastric ulcer, which is closely related to its actions in promoting synthesis of TGF-α and proliferation of gastric mucosal cells, suppressing gastric mucosal cell apoptosis, and up- regulating HSP70 expression.