[Changes of cutaneous temperature and the activity of Ca2+- and Mg2+ -ATPase in the tissues along the running course of meridians in rabbit].
OBJECTIVE
To study the interrelation between the change of temperature and Ca2+-, Mg2+ -ATPase activity in the tissues along the running course of meridians in the rabbit.


METHODS
Seven healthy mongrel rabbits were used in this study. Before and after moxibustion of "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Yinlingquan" (SP9), the cutaneous temperature along the Stomach Meridian and Spleen Meridian was detected with an infra-red thermography. The tissues showing higher temperature (including skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle, 100 mg) and non-higher temperature (skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle about 0.5 cm beside the higher temperature region, 100 mg) after moxibustion were sampled respectively for detecting the activity of Ca2+- and Mg2+ -ATPase with enzymologic method.


RESULTS
After moxibustion of "Zusanli" (ST36) and 'Yinlingquan" (SP9), the temperature of the skin along the Stomach Meridian and Spleen Meridian on the same side increased significantly (P<0.05, 0.01); correspondingly, the activity of Mg2+ -ATPase in the higher temperature regions (lateral side of the left thigh, and the medial side of the right hindlimb) increased moderately and significantly separately in comparison with the control regions (P<0.05). No marked changes were found in the activity of Ca2+ -ATPase in the same tissues of the higher temperature regions (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In the tissues of higher temperature region after moxibustion of SP9, Mg2+ -ATPase activity increased evidently, that may contribute to the increase of temperature along the skin of the Spleen Meridian after moxibustion, while Ca2+ -ATPase may play a minor role therein.
Institute of Acu-moxibastion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
Lian-Hong
LH
Tan
Chun-Hong
CH
Ma
Dong
D
Zhang
Shu-You
SY
Wang
Hui-Min
HM
Ma
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016740:Meridians; D011817:Rabbits; D012881:Skin Temperature
D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases