Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion at"Feishu"(BL 13)and"Shenshu"(BL 23)on peripheral blood T cells and serum interleukin in rats with asthma

so as to explore its immunological mechanisms in relieving asthma.Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model and moxibustion groups(10rats/group).Asthma model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide

and ovalbumin inhalation.Moxibustion was applied to bilateral"Feishu"(BL 13)and"Shenshu"(BL 23)for 30 min

once daily for 14 d.The pathologic changes of the lung tissue were detected by H.E.staining.The levels of CD 3

+

CD 4+

CD 4

+

CD 8+

CD 8

+

T cells in whole blood were detected by flow cytometry.Serum IgE

IL-1β

IL-1Ra contents were assayed by ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results The thickened muscle of bronchial wall

mucosal edema

infiltration of inflammatory cells and partial destruction of the alveolar structure were found in the model group.While in the moxibustion group

the structure of the alveolar wall was complete

the morphology of the bronchioles was regular

and there were no mucus plug formation and epithelial cell shedding in the lumen.The contents of blood CD 8+T cells in whole blood were detected by flow cytometry.Serum IgE

IL-1β

IL-1Ra contents were assayed by ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results The thickened muscle of bronchial wall

mucosal edema

infiltration of inflammatory cells and partial destruction of the alveolar structure were found in the model group.While in the moxibustion group

the structure of the alveolar wall was complete

the morphology of the bronchioles was regular

and there were no mucus plug formation and epithelial cell shedding in the lumen.The contents of blood CD 8

+

and CD 3+and CD 3

+

T cells

and serum IgE and IL-1βin the model group were obviously higher than those in the normal group(P

<

0.01).Compared with the model group

the levels of blood CD 8+T cells

and serum IgE and IL-1βin the model group were obviously higher than those in the normal group(P

<

0.01).Compared with the model group

the levels of blood CD 8

+

T cell

serum IgE and IL-1βin the moxibustion group were all decreased(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

meanwhile the levels of blood CD 4+T cell

serum IgE and IL-1βin the moxibustion group were all decreased(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

meanwhile the levels of blood CD 4

+

T cell and serum IL-1Ra were increased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can reduce the levels of serum IgE and IL-1β

and increase the level of serum IL-1Ra

which may play an important role in the treatment of asthma.