OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) point on aging and its mechanism.

METHODSForty-eight health rabbits were randomly divided into 8 groups, ie., group I (normal control group), group II (model group), group III (prevention with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) group), group lY (prevention with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Zusanli (ST 36) group), group V (prevention with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Mingmen (GV 4) group), group VI (treatment with moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) group), group XII (treatment with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Zusanli (ST 36) group), and group VIII (treatment with moxibustion both at Shenque (CV 8) and Mingmen (GV 4) group). The rabbit models of kidney-yang deficiency were created by pouring Hydroxyurea. The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was detected and the effect of the moxibustion from both prevention and treatment aspects were compared. And then the effect of different compatibility of acupoints was observed.

RESULTSAfter modeling, obvious symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency and decrease of SOD activity (all P < 0.01) were found in groups II, VI, VII and VIII. After the moxibustion treatment, the syndromes of kidney-yang deficiency were significantly improved (all P < 0.01) and SOD activities were increased obviously in groups VI, VII and VIII (all P < 0.01); a few syndromes of kidney-yang deficiency were found in groups III, IV and V after modeling, but with no significant changes of SOD activity (all P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in three moxibustion treatment groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThree acupoints compatibilities of moxibustion treatment can all regulate serum SOD activity in rabbits with kidney-yang deficiency effectively and have the significant effect both at prevention and treatment aspects and there is close relationship between their mechanisms on aging and regulating serum SOD activity.