Moxibustion treatment modulates the gut microbiota and immune function in a dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis rat model

Figure 5 Comparative analyses of the dominant phyla, families and genera under different treatments. HC: Healthy controls; UC: UC model group; UC-7: UC model with seven days of moxibustion; UC-14: UC model with fourteen days of moxibustion; UC-W: UC model with mesalazine gavage; HC-7: Healthy controls with seven days of moxibustion; HC-14: Healthy controls with fourteen days of moxibustion. A: The relative abundance levels of Proteobacteria, Candidatus, and Saccharibacteria were increased, whereas Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were decreased in the UC group compared with the HC group. These changes in microbiota profiles could be reversed by moxibustion treatment for seven days or fourteen days; B: UC rats had decreased Lactobacillaceae and Ruminococcaceae and increased Sphingomonadaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Porphyromonadaceae compared with the HC group. After treatment, Pseudomonadaceae was reduced in the UC-7, UC-14 and UC-W groups compared with the UC group; C: Lactobacillus, Clostridium XlVa, and Ruminococcus were increased and Saccharibacteria and Sphingomonas were decreased in HC rats compared with UC rats; D: UC rats had decreased alpha diversity compared with HC rats. After treatment, alpha diversity was increased in the UC-7 and UC-W groups.