18 rats were randomly deivided into 3 groups: control grup . the group merely with experimental gastric ulcer and the group with experimental gastric ulcer after 3-week moxibustion. The results showed: (1 ) moxibustion could significatly reduce the ulcer area of the rats (P<0. 05); (2 ) compared with control group

the experimental gastric ulcer model rats had an increase in copper content and Cu/Zu ratio

the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05

P< 0. 01 ); (3 ) in contrast to the rats merely with experimental gastric ulcer

moxibustion-pretreated rats had a significant increase in Zinc content in serum (P<0

01 )

but its copper content and Cu/Zn ratio in serurn were significantly decreased (P< 0. 05

P< 0. 01 ). The results confirmed that moxibustion pretreatment at "Shen Jue'could protect the gastric mucosa from strass-induced uleer

having protective effect on gastric mucosa. The results also suggested that there was a disbalance .in trace elements metabolism

but moxibustion could improve it. This was most likely to be one of the mechanisms of moxibustion protection on gastrip mucosa