Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion of "Zusanli"(ST 36) on hepatic glycogen level and ultrastructure changes in exercise-induced fatigue rats.Methods Thirty-three SD rats were randomly and equally divided into control

model and moxibustion groups.The fatigue model was established by forcing the rat to have a loaded exhaustion swim

once daily for 21 days.Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" for about 30 min

once every other day for 11 times.The hepatic glycogen content was detected by chromatometry and the hepatic ultrastructure was observed by using transmission electron microscope.Results The hepatic glycogen content in the fatigue model group decreased significantly compared with the control group(P<0.01)

and that in the moxibustion group was increased significantly compared with the model group(P<0.05).Under transmission electron microscope

it was found that the glycogen in the hypatocytes of the model was decreased and the ultrastructure of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum was unclear in outline.In moxibustion group

more glycogen granules were found in hepatocytes

and the structure of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum was basically clear.Conclusion Moxi-bustion may increase hepatic glycogen content and improve ultrastructure of hypatocytes in fatigue rats

which may be part of its mechanism underlying relieving exercise-induced fatigue.