Effects of Moxibustion on Central Fatigue in Rats Subjected to Different Degrees of Exhaustive Exercise

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of moxibustion on central fatigue in rats subjected to different degrees of exhaustive exercise. Methods The exhaustive exercise model was established through repeated trials of swimming. Ninety-six male SD rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: a control group (n=32) that did not undergo the exercise routine, an untreated group (n=32) that received no treatment after exercise, and a moxibustion group (n=32) that received a mild dose of moxibustion at “Shénquè” (CV 8) for 15 min after exercise. Rats in each group were randomly and equally divided into 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th trial subgroups according to exercise duration. The levels of hippocampal tissue monoamine neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), Dopamine(DA) and free radicals Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured after the exhaustive exercise protocol for each group. Results The exhaustive duration of rats in the 4th trial untreated subgroup was significantly longer than the 1st trial untreated subgroup, while the 7th and 10th trial untreated subgroups were significantly shorter than the 1st trial untreated subgroup. The 7th and 10th trial moxibustion subgroups were longer than the corresponding untreated subgroups. Compared with the control group, the levels of 5-HT and MDA in rat brains for each untreated subgroup were higher and the GSH-Px levels in the 4th, 7th and 10th trial untreated subgroups were lower. The levels of brain DA and SOD in rats from the 1st trial untreated subgroup were significantly higher than controls and then decreased. The 7th and 10th trial untreated subgroups were significantly lower. Compared with the corresponding untreated subgroups, the levels of rat brain 5-HT in the 7th and 10th trial moxibustion subgroups were decreased, the MDA levels in the 4th, 7th and 10th trial moxibustion subgroups were decreased, and the DA,SOD, GSH-Px levels in the 4th, 7th and 10th trial moxibustion subgroups were increased. Conclusions Moxibustion relieved exercise-induced central fatigue in long-term exercise by reducing the levels of 5-HT and MDA while increasing the levels of DA, SOD, and GSH-Px, effectively extending the duration of the exhaustive exercise.

Moxibustion for treating cancer‐related fatigue: A multicenter, assessor‐blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial

“…17,[37][38][39] In addition, there have been attempts to elucidate the treatment mechanism of moxibustion for fatigue in animal studies, which have suggested that it may be related to modulation of inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters, such as 5-hydroxyteyptamine and dopamine, in the hippocampus and reduced serum malonaldehyde levels. 9,40 When evaluating the therapeutic effect in CRF patients, placebo response is an important factor to consider. 41 The placebo response rate of CRF patients reportedly varies from 27% to 60%, and if the subjects are women with higher anxiety at baseline, placebo response will be higher.…”

“… 17 , 37 , 38 , 39 In addition, there have been attempts to elucidate the treatment mechanism of moxibustion for fatigue in animal studies, which have suggested that it may be related to modulation of inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters, such as 5‐hydroxyteyptamine and dopamine, in the hippocampus and reduced serum malonaldehyde levels. 9 , 40 …”

“… 8 Studies have suggested that the therapeutic effect of stimulating acupoints is related to nerve segments which may influence the neural–endocrine–immune network and that the therapeutic effect can be increased by selecting appropriate combination of acupoints according to the symptom or disease. 9 , 10 , 11 Acupuncture, the most commonly known method for stimulating acupoints, has been used to treat CRF, and a meta‐analysis showed significant improvement in CRF using acupuncture plus education compared to usual care. 6 Moxibustion is another widely used method for stimulating acupoints and has been used for symptom management or palliative care in cancer patients.…”

Mechanisms of Physical Fatigue and its Applications in Nutritional Interventions

“…Circulating amounts of free tryptophan reflect the levels of brain tryptophan . Numerous animal studies have shown that exercise causes increased TRP concentrations in both the peripheral and CNS. , Accordingly, the levels of 5-HT in CNS were increased in response to exercise . BCAAs, which compete with TRP for the same carrier-mediated transport system for uptake into the brain, are consumed during exercise.…”

“…12,13 Accordingly, the levels of 5-HT in CNS were increased in response to exercise. 14 BCAAs, which compete with TRP for the same carrier-mediated transport system for uptake into the brain, are consumed during exercise. Decreased BCAA's level favors the transport of free TRP into CNS for 5-HT synthesize.…”