Experimental Investigation of Temperature Influence in Local Acupoints of Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA)Rats Treated by Different Quantities of Pepper-separated Moxibustion

Objective:To observe the quality of temperature changes before and after different quantities of pepper-separated moxibustion,and explore the change rule and characteristic of pepper-separated moxibustion's heating stimulate on treating rheumatoid arthritis(RA)rats. Methods:Local acupoint temperatures of different quantities of pepper-separated moxibustion(3 Zhuang,5 Zhuang)were measured respectively in RA rats,and then a comparison of surface temperature changes in(Shenshu BL23,Zusanli ST36)was made among pre-moxibustion,moxibustion-session and post-moxibustion. Results:The maximal temperature of Shenshu and Zusanli between the two quantities of pepper-separated moxibustion were different. The maximal temperature and elevated temperature of 5 Zhuang groups were both significantly higher than those of 3 Zhuang groups(P0.05,P0.05). When the separated moxibustion completed,it showed no statistic significance in surface temperature(terminal temperature). Conclusion:The heating stimulation in different quantities of pepper-separated moxibustion plays an important role in affecting the temperature of local acupoint,in which the heating effect of 5 Zhuang groups was much better than that of 3 Zhuang groups. As for the heat effect of different acupoints in moxibustion,further research is needed.