Effect of Moxibustion on Serum Antibody Production in Rabbits Immunized with Staphylococcus aureus / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research paper is to clarify the effect of moxibustion on the protective antibody induced by the Smith strain of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. The moxibustion test group of four rabbits and the control group of four rabbits were all immunized subcutaneously with the Smith strain of <i>S. aureus</i>. Sera samples were collected weekly and antibody production was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared to the control group, the titer of IgM antibody of the moxibustion group increased significantly (p<0.05). Furthermore, ELISA inhibition tests with Smith surface antigen (SSA, a protective antigen) showed significantly (p<0.05) higher activities of IgM and IgG antibody in the moxibustion group at the 9th week after the first immunization. These results suggest that moxibustion promotes not only production of antibodies against the Smith strain of <i>S. aureus</i>, but also passive protective activity against SSA of <i>S. aureus</i>.