BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at the Guanyuan point have positive effects on the immune system of menopausal rats. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of preventive...BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at the Guanyuan point have positive effects on the immune system of menopausal rats. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of preventive acupuncture or moxibustion at the Guanyuan point on interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R mRNA) levels in hypothalamus, serum, and uterus of menopausal rats. DESIGN: Randomized control animal experiment. SETTING: School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Laboratory of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from November 2004 to July 2005. The vaginal smear method was used to determine the estrus cycle of 9.5-month-old Sprague Dawley (SD) female rats. Three continuous estrus cycles were measured, and 160 rats with estrus cycle disorder, weighing (300 _+ 20) g, were included in this study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: preventive acupuncture group (n =48), preventive moxibustion group (n =48), model groups (n =48), and 10-month-old group (n =16). Sixteen 3.5-month-old healthy SD female rats, weighing (240 ± 20) g, were also assigned to the young group. All rats were clean grade and were purchased from the Laboratory Animal Center, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The experiment was in accordance with animal ethics standards. METHODS: Acupuncture was applied to the preventive acupuncture group at 10 months of age. The needle was inserted upward and perpendicularly two fen to a point that was two fen below the Guanyuan point. The rats freely moved around during needle retention (20 minutes). Acupuncture was administered twice a week and continued for eight weeks. A moxa cone (small) moxibustion was applied to the preventive moxibustion group at 10 months of age. The rats were caught gently and kept at the same position as the preventive acupuncture group. The moxa cone was ignited and held to the Guanyuan point directly. Only one moxa展开更多
基金the National Nature Science Foundation of China, No. 90209026Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, No. 7052037
文摘BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at the Guanyuan point have positive effects on the immune system of menopausal rats. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of preventive acupuncture or moxibustion at the Guanyuan point on interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R mRNA) levels in hypothalamus, serum, and uterus of menopausal rats. DESIGN: Randomized control animal experiment. SETTING: School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS: This study was performed at the Laboratory of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from November 2004 to July 2005. The vaginal smear method was used to determine the estrus cycle of 9.5-month-old Sprague Dawley (SD) female rats. Three continuous estrus cycles were measured, and 160 rats with estrus cycle disorder, weighing (300 _+ 20) g, were included in this study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: preventive acupuncture group (n =48), preventive moxibustion group (n =48), model groups (n =48), and 10-month-old group (n =16). Sixteen 3.5-month-old healthy SD female rats, weighing (240 ± 20) g, were also assigned to the young group. All rats were clean grade and were purchased from the Laboratory Animal Center, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The experiment was in accordance with animal ethics standards. METHODS: Acupuncture was applied to the preventive acupuncture group at 10 months of age. The needle was inserted upward and perpendicularly two fen to a point that was two fen below the Guanyuan point. The rats freely moved around during needle retention (20 minutes). Acupuncture was administered twice a week and continued for eight weeks. A moxa cone (small) moxibustion was applied to the preventive moxibustion group at 10 months of age. The rats were caught gently and kept at the same position as the preventive acupuncture group. The moxa cone was ignited and held to the Guanyuan point directly. Only one moxa