Objective To observe the effect of mild-moxibustion on serum amyloid-A(SAA)protein

cytokine contents and liver amyloid-A protein expression in atherosclerosis rabbits

so as to explore its anti-inflammation mechanism.MethodsA total of 40Japanese male rabbits were equally randomized into normal control

model

mild moxibustion and medication(lovastatin)groups.The atherosclerosis model was established by feeding the animals with high-fat diet for 14weeks and intravenous injection of bovine serum albumin(250mg/kg

once every week

3times altogether).Mild moxibustion was applied to"Shenque"(CV 8)

"Housanli"(ST 36)for 10min

once daily for 14weeks beginning from the first day of modeling.The SAA

serum IL-6

TNF-αand IL-10contents were determined by double antibody sandwich method

and liver amyloid-A protein expression was detected by Western blot.The pathological changes of the cervical common artery were detected by H.E.staining.Results In comparison with the normal control group

SAA

serum IL-6

IL-10and TNF-αcontents and liver amyloid-A protein expression level were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05).Compared to the model group

SAA

serum IL-6and TNF-αcontents

and liver amyloid-A protein expression level were considerably down-regulated and serum IL-10content was obviously up-regulated in the moxibustion and medication groups(P<0.05

P<0.01).No significant differences were found between the moxibustion and medication groups in the five indexes(P>0.05).In addition

the pathological changes of the cervical common arterial endomembrane in the moxibustion and medication group were relatively milder

suggesting aprotective effect of moxibustion on liver tissue in atherosclerosis rabbits.Conclusion Mild moxibustion can relieve liver injury in atherosclerosis rabbits

which is associated with its effects in suppressing serum inflammatory cytokines and liver amyloid-A protein expression and up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10level.