Objective To investigate the effect of moxibustion on the expression of IL-1β

IL-2 and IL-6 proteins and mRNA in the cerebral cortex in tumor-bearing mice so as to study its mechanism underlying immunomodulation. Methods Forty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into control

tumor-bearing

non-acupoint moxibustion (N-AM)and acupoint-moxibustion (AM) groups (n=10/group). Moxibustion was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14)

once every other day for 6 times. The expression of IL-1β mRNA

IL-2 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization

and the immunoactivity of IL-1β

IL-6 and IL-2 determined by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared to the control group

the expression levels of IL-1β mRNA and IL-2 mRNA

IL-1β and IL-2 in the cerebral cortex of the tumor-bearing group were down-regulated significantly ( P<0.05

P<0.01 )

while those of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 up-regulated significantly ( P<0.05 ). Compared to the tumor-bearing group

the expression of IL-1β mRNA and IL-2 mRNA

IL-1β and IL-2 in the cerebral cortex in AM group were increased considerably ( P<0.05

P<0.01 ); while cortical IL-6 immunoactivity in N-AM group was decreased significantly ( P<0.05 )

and IL-6 mRNA had no significant change in N-AM group ( P>0.05 ). Comparison between AM and N-AM groups showed that the expression levels of cortical IL-1β mRNA and IL-2 mRNA

and IL-1β and IL-2 proteins of the former group were obviously higher than those of the later group ( P<0.05

P<0.01 ); while the immunoactivity of cortical IL-6 of AM group was significantly lower than that of N-AM group ( P<0.05 ). No significant difference between AM and N-AM groups in the expression of IL-6 mRNA ( P>0.05 ). Conclusion Moxibustion treatment can up-regulate the expression of cortical IL-1β mRNA

IL-2 mRNA

IL-1β and IL-2 proteins

and down-regulate the expression of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 in tumor-bearing mice

which may contribute to its effect in improving the immunosuppressing state under tumor conditions.