Abstract
In our previous studies, it was suggested that the single moxibustion stimulation induced the enhancement of the phagocytic activity in mice. In order to examine the cause of the effect of moxibustion, we have examined the activities of two lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase: acid-P and β-glucuronidase: β-Gl) in the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) and peritoneal macrophage (Mp), and the morphological change of these cells by the Giemsa stain after single moxibustion.
Male ddY and ICR mouse (5-6 weeks old) were used as experimental animals. 15mg of moxa was divided into 6 cones and they were treated by each 3 cones at right and left LV-14.
As a result, an increase of acid-P activity in PEC of ddY mouse was found at 3 and 24hr after single moxibustion.
On the other hand, acid-P activity of PEC was decreased at 3hr, in spite of increase in numbers of PEC in ICR mouse.
These values did not change at 120hr after single moxibustion in ICR mice. But β-Gl activity in the peritoneal Mp was increased 120hr after single moxibustion.
Morphologically, there were a little enlarged and more mild spreading cells in peritoneal Mps from ICR mice 120hr after moxibustion than ones in untreated mice.
That is, lysosomal enzyme activities in PEC and peritoneal Mp increased when phagocytic indexes were higher by moxibustion stimulation in mice.
These results suggest that one of the cause of the enhancement of phagocytic activity in reticuloendothelial system after single moxibustion was the increase of lysosomal enzyme activities in the phagocytic cells.
