Moxibustion at mingmen reduces inflammation and decreases IL-6 in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of moxibustion (MOX) treatment at the GV4 and CV12 acupoints, and to determine the correlations between MOX treatment and interleukin (IL)-6 and corticosterone levels in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. CIA mice were immunized twice intradermally over a 3-week interval with bovine type II collagen. After the second immunization (day 21), MOX was applied to the mouse equivalent of the GV4 and CV12 acupoints with a 1mg moxa cone five times/day. Clinical symptoms of CIA were observed three times/week until day 35. The concentrations of IL-6 and corticosterone in the blood samples were measured by immunoassay kits. At day 35, the incidence of CIA was significantly decreased in mice treated with MOX at the GV4 acupoint (78%, n=23, p<0.05), compared to untreated CIA mice (100%) and mice treated with MOX at the CV12 acupoint (100%). IL-6 and corticosterone levels were significantly increased by immunization. IL-6 levels significantly decreased in mice treated with MOX at the GV4 acupoint. These results suggest that MOX treatment suppressed CIA at the GV4 acupoint, not at the CV12 acupoint, possibly through inhibition of IL-6 production.
Department of Physiology, Showa University, School of Medicine, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan. mo_kogure@yahoo.co.jp
Morihiro
M
Kogure
Naomi
N
Mimura
Hideshi
H
Ikemoto
Shintaro
S
Ishikawa
Takako
T
Nakanishi-Ueda
Masataka
M
Sunagawa
Tadashi
T
Hisamitsu
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D002417:Cattle; D024043:Collagen Type II; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007114:Immunization; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009071:Moxibustion
D024043:Collagen Type II; D015850:Interleukin-6; D003345:Corticosterone