RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Shenshu"(BL 23) on peripheral blood T cells and serum interleukin in rats with asthma, so as to explore its immunological mechanisms in relieving asthma. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model and moxibustion groups(10 rats/group). Asthma model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide, and ovalbumin inhalation. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Shenshu"(BL 23) for 30 min, once daily for 14 d. The pathologic changes of the lung tissue were detected by H.E. staining. The levels of CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+ T cells in whole blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum IgE, IL-1 ß, IL-1 Ra contents were assayed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: The thickened muscle of bronchial wall, mucosal edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells and partial destruction of the alveolar structure were found in the model group. While in the moxibustion group, the structure of the alveolar wall was complete, the morphology of the bronchioles was regular, and there were no mucus plug formation and epithelial cell shedding in the lumen. The contents of blood CD 8+ and CD 3+ T cells, and serum IgE and IL-1 ß in the model group were obviously higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of blood CD 8+ T cell, serum IgE and IL-1 ß in the moxibustion group were all decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), meanwhile the levels of blood CD 4+ T cell and serum IL-1 Ra were increased (P<0.01,P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion can reduce the levels of serum IgE and IL-1 ß, and increase the level of serum IL-1 Ra, which may play an important role in the treatment of asthma.
