Objective To observe the effect of moxa-grain-moxibustion on serum IL-2and IL-10 levels and T-lymphocyte proliferation activity in Lewis tumor-bearing mice

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of immune function under lung cancer condition.Methods Thirty Lewis tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into control group

tumor-bearing model group and moxibustion group(n=10in each group).Lung tumor model was established by subcutaneous inoculation of Lewis tumor cell suspension(0.2mL).The ignited moxa-grain was applied to bilateral"Housanli"(ST 36)one session a day for 10 sessions.The animals' daily life activity and the lung tumor growing status were observed every day.MTT[3-(4

5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2

5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide]colorimetry was used to determine T lymphocyte proliferation activity

and serum IL-2and IL-10 contents were detected by ELISA.Results Following moxibustion

no statistical differences were found in the gross tumor volume and body weight between tumor-bearing model and moxibustion groups and between pre-moxibustion and post-moxibustion in the same one group(P>0.05).Compared with the blank control group

serum IL-2content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05)

while serum IL-10 level was significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05).After moxibustion

the T-lymphocyte proliferation rate and serum IL-2were markedly increased(P<0.05)

but serum IL-10 level was considerably decreased in the moxibustion intervention group in comparison with the tumor-bearing model group(P<0.05).Conclusion Moxa-grain-moxibustion can effectively up-regulate T lymphocyte proliferation activity and balance Th 1/Th 2in tumor-bearing mice

suggesting an enhancement of the body's anti-tumor ability after moxibustion.