ABSTRACT
In our previous studies, it was suggested that single moxibustion stimulation activated blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activities within normal range in mice at 1 and 3hrs.<br>In order to further investigate the mechanism of moxibustion, we have examined the antithrombin III (AT III) and fibrinolytic activities after single moxibustion.<br>Male ddy mice (6 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. Each mouse was treated with 15mg of moxa divided into 6 cones, 3 each on the right and left LV-14.<br>We obtained the following results. The plasminogen (PLG) activities and the values of plasma total protein decreased at 1hr after single moxibustion.<br>The activities of plasma AT III, α2 plasmin inhibitor (α2 PI) and factor XIII, and plasma fibrinogen level remained unchanged at 1 and 3hrs.<br>The blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activities changed, but they were almost within the range of physiological variability.<br>These results suggest that blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were activated as part of its defence mechanism while keeping homeostatic balance.