Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Zusanli"(ST36) on peripheral and central IL-6

IL-10 and IL-10/IL-6 changes in fatigue rats

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying relief of fatigue. Methods Twenty-one male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

model and moxibustion groups with 7 rats in each group. The fatigue model was induced by exhausted weight-loaded swimming

once daily for 21 days. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral ST36 once every other day

for successive 11 times. The overall state and the body weight were observed. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in the serum

gastrocnemius and frontal cortex tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Compared with the normal group

the body weight was significantly reduced on the 7

(th)

14(th)

14

(th)

and 21(th)

and 21

(st)

day in the model group(P

<

0.05)

and considerably increased on the 14(st) day in the model group(P

<

0.05)

and considerably increased on the 14

(th)

and 21(th) and 21

(st)

day in the moxibustion group relevant to the model group(P

<

0.05). After modeling

the levels of IL-6 in the serum

gastrocnemius and frontal cortex were significantly increased(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

while those of IL-10 was obviously decreased(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01) in the model group relevant to the normal group

and ratio of IL-10/IL-6 was obviously decreased in the serum and frontal cortex of the model group relevant to the normal group(P

<

0.01). After the moxibustion intervention

the levels of IL-10 in the serum and frontal cortex were significantly increased(P

<

0.05)

and ratio of IL-10/IL-6 in the serum and frontal cortex was significantly increased(P

<

0.01)

while the IL-6 contents in the gastrocnemius and frontal cortex were notably decreased in the moxibustion group relevant to the model group(P

<

0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion can inhibit weight-loaded swimming induced decrease of body weight in fatigue rats

which may be associated with its effects in balancing the levels of peripheral and central pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.