Effect of Different Temperature Moxibustion on Serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αContents in Acute Adjuvant Arthritis Rats / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of different temperature moxibustion on serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents in acute adjuvant arthritis rats and provide a basis for the mechanism of local anti-inflammatory and immune action of moxibustion. Methods A rat model of adjuvant arthritis (AA) was made by Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) modeling method. Of 32 SD rats, 8 were randomly selected as a normal group and the other 24 for model making. After successful model making, the rats were randomly allocated to model, treatment 1 and treatment 2 groups, 8 rats each. Treatment 1 and 2 groups received moxibustion. Local temperature at moxibustion point was controlled at (38±1)℃in treatment 1 group and at (45±1)℃in treatment 2 group. Rat serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results There were statistically significant differences in serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents between the model, treatment 1 or treatment 2 group and the normal group (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in serum IL-2 content between treatment 1 and the model groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in serum IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-αcontents between treatment 2 group and the model or treatment 1 group (P<0.01). Conclusions Moxibustion has a reducing effect on serum IL-1βand TNF-αcontents and a raising effect on IL-2 content. 45℃moxibustion temperature can improve the effect of moxi bustion. The anti-inflammatory action of moxibustion may be through the mechanism of reducing serum IL-1βand TNF-αcontents and raising IL-2 content, which relieve body inflammatory reaction. The action of moxibustion needs proper moxibustion temperature.