针刺及艾灸足三里穴缓解大鼠运动疲劳作用的比较

背景：已有诸多实验证实针灸足三里穴能够有效地缓解运动疲劳。 目的：观察毫针针刺及艾灸足三里穴(ST36)对运动疲劳大鼠的运动耐力、骨骼肌微循环及抗氧化酶活性的影响，探讨针刺及艾灸两种不同疗法缓解运动疲劳作用的差异。 设计、时间及地点：随机动物实验，于2008-06/07在华南师范大学光子中医学实验室完成。 材料：SPF级雄性成年SD大鼠24只，体质量220~260 g。 方法：SD大鼠24只，适应性游泳后被随机分为正常对照组、模型组、艾灸组及针刺组，每组6只。采用无负重游泳方式建立大鼠运动疲劳模型，艾灸组及针刺组在游泳运动的同时，分别采用毫针及艾灸刺激足三里穴，1次/d，共10 d。末次力竭运动结束后检测指标。 主要观察指标：大鼠骨骼肌微循环及线粒体内超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶的活性。 结果：实验第9天，艾灸组大鼠的运动耐力显著高于同时间点模型组的运动耐力(P < 0.05)；实验第11天，艾灸组和针刺组的大鼠的运动耐力均显著高于模型组的大鼠同时间点的运动耐力(P < 0.05)，艾灸组和针刺组相比差异无显著性意义 (P > 0.05)。艾灸组双侧胫骨前肌的血流灌注量均显著高于模型组(P < 0.05)；针刺组腹直肌的血流灌注量显著高于模型组(P < 0.05)。艾灸组双侧胫骨前肌线粒体内的超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著高于模型组(P < 0.05)； 针刺组双侧胫骨前肌线粒体内的超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著低于艾灸组(P < 0.05)。 结论：艾灸足三里穴能够有效地提高运动疲劳大鼠骨骼肌线粒体抗氧化酶活性、增加骨骼肌血流灌注，缓解外周骨骼肌的运动疲劳，提高运动耐力，其效应优于针刺足三里穴。

Anti-fatigue effects of acupuncture versus moxibustion at the Zusanli acupoint in exercise-induced fatigue rats

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint can effectively alleviate exercise induced fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-fatigue effects of moxibustion, acupuncture with filiform needle at ST36 on exercise induced fatigue rats by observing the antioxidant enzyme activity and microcirculation in skeletal muscles; furthermore, to compare the difference effect of two methods. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized control animal trials were performed in the Laboratory of Photonic Chinese Medicine, South China Normal University between June 2008 and July 2008. MATERIALS: Totally 24 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats of SPF grade, with body weight of 220-260 g. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into normal, model, moxibustion, and acupuncture groups, with 6 animals in each group. The exercise induced fatigue was established by swimming without load. Meanwhile, the rats in moxibustion group and acupuncture group were treated with moxibustion and filiform needle acupuncture at ST36, respectively, once a day for 10 days. After the last exhaustive swimming, the index was determined. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The microcirculation in skeletal muscle and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in skeletal muscle mitochondria. RESULTS: The exercise performance of moxibustion group was increased significantly than that of model group at day 9 after operation (P < 0.05), which was increased significantly in the acupuncture and moxibustion groups at days 11 (P < 0.05). There was no difference between acupuncture and moxibustion groups (P > 0.05). Blood perfusion in tibialis anterior muscle of the moxibustion group was greater than model group (P < 0.05); blood perfusion in rectus abdominis of acupuncture group was higher than model group (P < 0.05). The SOD and GSH-Px activities in bilateral tibialis anterior muscle mitochondria of moxibustion group were much higher than those in model group (P < 0.05). The microcirculation in bilateral tibialis of acupuncture group was lower than those in moxibustion group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at ST36 can effectively relieve exercised-induced muscle fatigue by improving antioxidant enzyme activity in skeletal muscle mitochondria, increasing microcirculation in skeletal muscle, the effect of which is superior to acupuncture.