Objective: To investigate the protein and mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅳ A(COX VA) in gastric tissues of functional dyspepsia (FD) rats with spleen deficiency and explore the effect of Pixu I recipe intervention. Method: Seventy 10-day-old male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group

FD model group (single model group)

spleen deficiency type FD model group (dual model group)

Domperidone group

Pixu I recipe low dose group

medium dose group

and high dose group. The rats in FD model group and spleen deficiency type FD model group were gavaged with 0.2 mL of 0.1% IA in 2% sucrose for 6 days. Normal feeding was given to the rats in spleen deficiency type FD model group till 6-week-old

and then modified multiple platform method (MMPM) was used for 14 days. After successful modeling

they were gavaged with 10 mL·kg-1·d-1 distilled water

3.125 mg·kg-1·d-1 Domperidone

1.275

2.55

5.1 g·kg-1·d-1 Pixu I recipe for 14 days. COX VA mRNA and protein expression levels in liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry

Western blot and Real-time PCR. Result: As compared with the normal group

the mean optical density value of COX VA proteins was increased in high-dose Pixu I recipe group (P<0.05); COX VA protein expression levels were decreased to different degrees in Domperidone group

low-dose and medium-dose Pixu I recipe groups (P<0.01)

while the COX VA protein expression level in high-dose Pixu I recipe group was increased; the increase in COX VA mRNA expression was most obvious in single model group (P<0.01). As compared with the dual model group

COX VA protein expression levels were decreased to different degrees in Domperidone group

low-dose and medium-dose Pixu I recipe groups (P<0.01)

and the mRNA expression levels were also decreased while the levels in high dose group and single model group were increased without statistically significant differences. Conclusion: COX VA mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in spleen deficiency type FD rats

and Pixu I recipe could increase the COX VA protein expression level and improve energy metabolism.