Difference in the anti-fatigue effect of moxibustion at different acupoints in one-off exhausted rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the difference in the anti-fatigue effect of moxibustion at different acupoints through observing the impacts of moxibustion at “Shènshù (肾俞BL23)”, “Zúsānlĭ (足三里ST36)”, “Guānyuán (关元CV4)” and “Shénquè (神阙CV8)” on energy metabolic indexes in the one-off exhausted rats. MethodsA total of 56 SPF male rats were randomized into 7 groups, named a blank group, a model group, a non-acupoint group, a “BL23” group, a “ST36” group, a “CV4” group and a “CV8” group, 8 rats in each group. The one-off exhaustion model was established by weight-bearing swimming experiment. Right after the exhaustive swimming of rats in each intervention group, the mild moxibustion was applied at the corresponding acupoints for 15 min immediately. 4 h after the exhaustive swimming, the blood was collected from the femoral artery and the quadriceps femoris of the left hindlimb was stripped. The levels of blood lactate (BLD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the expressions of adenosine triphosphatease (ATP), fructose-6-phosphofructokinase (PFK) and malomdialdehyde (MDA) in the quadriceps femoris and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were detected. ResultsCompared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the levels of serum BLD, LDH, CK and BUN were all lower those in the “BL23” group, the “ST36” group, the “CV4” group and the “CV8” group, indicating a statistical significance (all P < 0.05). Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, PFK was higher in the “BL23” group, indicating a statistical significance (both P < 0.05). Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, PFK was higher in the “ST36” group and the “CV4” group, indicating a statistical significance (all P < 0.05). ConclusionIt was found in the research that moxibustion at “BL23” “ST36” “CV4” and “CV8” regulated the energy metabolism in the one-off exhausted rats so as to bring the anti-fatigue effect into play and the effect was different among the acupoints. Moxibustion at “CV8” may work on the prevention of the protein decomposition in the skeletal muscle and moxibustion at “BL23” may be against the oxidation in the skeletal muscle.