RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herbal-cake-partitioned moxibustion (HCPM) of "Shenque" (CV8) and "Daheng" (SP15) on abdominal pain, plasma β-endorphin (β-EP), uterine prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels, as well as splenetic natural killer cell (NK cell) activity in primary dysmenorrhea (PD) rats, so as to explore the specificity of acupoint function and the underlying mechanisms of moxibustion in relieving dysmenorrhea. METHODS: A total of 40 female rats were randomized into blank control, model, CV8-direct moxibustion, CV8-HCPM and SP15-HCPM groups (n＝8 rats in each). The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate injection (0.2-0.5 mg/rat) for 10 consecutive days and intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin (2 U) 24 h after the last subcutaneous injection. Moxibustion or herbal-cake (composed of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Cortex Cinnamomi, etc.)-partitioned moxibustion was applied to CV8, SP15 or umbilicus respectively for 7 moxa-cones every time, once daily for 10 successive days. The rats of the control and model groups were also restrained as those in the moxibustion groups. The writhing times within 30 minutes was recorded and the contents of plasma β-EP, uterine PGE2 and PGF2α were detected by ELISA, and NK cell activity was detected using MTT. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the writhing times and the content of PGF2α in the uterus tissue were significantly increased in the model group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion of both CV8 and SP15 can relieve abdominal pain in PD rats, which may be closely associated with its effect in suppressing PD-induced decrease of plasma β-EP and uterine PGE2 levels and splenetic NK cell activity and increase of uterine PGF2α. The therapeutic effect of CV8-HCPM is obviously better than that of SP15-HCPM and CV8-direct moxibustion.
RESUMEN
Objective To explore the effect of practicing Chinese gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing on the infrared radiant track along meridian course (IRRTM)of Ren Meridian stimulated by moxibustion on CV-8 among dysmenorrhea patients.Methods Twenty dysmenorrhea undergraduate patients were recruied and practiced Chinese gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing for 3 months.The numbers of patients of mild,moderate and severe symptoms were collected before and after the intervention.The effects of IRRTM stimulated by moxibustion on CV-8 were compared before and after practicing Chinese Gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing.Results After practicing Chinese Gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing,symptoms of 15 patients (including 11 with moderate dysmenorrhea and 4 with severe dysmenorrheal)were relieved to different extent.After the practice,all IRRTM of Ren Meridian turn to be more continuous,clear and regular either the Ren Meridian was stimulated with moxibustion or not.The average surface temperature along Ren Meridian rose significantly after the practicing.The conduction time to achieve the best states of IRRTM along Ren Meridian significantly shortened compared to before the intervention.Conclusion Chinese Gymnastic Qigong-Yijinjing can effectively enhance the transmission of IRRTM along Ren Meridian on dysmenorrhea patients,and may have a positive effect on dysmenorrhea treatment.