Objective: To research the mechanism of moxibustion-induced high-temperature lines along the meridian from both structure and function. Methods: 16 adult Japanese big-ear white rabbits were used in the present study. Following shearing hairs at the lateral side of the lower limb

moxibustion was applied to bilateral “Zusanli”(ST 36)

5～6 minutes later

thermogram along the “Stomach Meridian” was taken by infrared ray thermal instrument. The part of the lower limb showing higher-temperature band monitored by thermogramer was frozen and removed rapidly

the sample including skin

subcutaneous tissue and muscle was then cut into sections (10 μm or 20 μm) stained with histochemical techniques [glyoxylic acid (SPG)] for displaying acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. Results: After moxibustion of “Zusanli”(ST 36)

higher temperature traces appeared alone the running course of the Stomach Meridian. Under light microscope

the bright green fluorescence intensity in the tissue sample of higher-temperature band (meridian course) was weaker

while that of extra-meridian tissue samples stronger. The optic density (OD) values of AChE and LDH in the slices of the higher-temperature tissues (along the Stomach Meridian) and non-higher-temperature tissues (extra-meridian) were 0.617±0.265 vs 0.514±0.169

and 0.265± 0.08 vs 0.199±0.05 (each n=32) respectively

displaying significant differences between meridian tissue and extra-meridian tissue in the OD values (P<0.01). It suggests that under higher-temperature state of the running course of meridian

the level of monoamines (adrenergic transmitter being predominant) was lower

and the activity of AChE and LDH higher in the tissues along the meridian than that in the tissues beyond the meridian (P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion induced high temperature line reaction alone the Stomach Meridian is related to the decrease of monoamines (adrenergic transmitter) and the increase of AChE level and potentiation of energy metabolism.