Effect of Moxibustion on Cardiac Remodeling and Myocardial Function in Rats with Exercise-Induced Fatigue

Objective: To explore the effect of moxibustion at Shenque(CV8) on myocardial structure and function in rats with exercise-induced fatigue. Methods: A 12-week treadmill training program was used to establish a rat model of exercise-induced fatigue. Fifty-six male SD rats removed six rats that did not reach the molding condition, Remaining rats were randomly divided into the following five groups: a normal group (n=10) that did not under go the exercise routine and were not treated, a control group (n=10) that did not under go the exercise routine, but received a mild dose of moxibustion at “Shenque” (CV 8) for 15 min, an untreated group (n=10) that received no treatment after exercise, a CV 8 group (n=10) that received a mild dose of moxibustion at “Shenque” (CV 8) for 15 min after exercise, a non-acupoint(tail) group(n=10) that received a mild dose of moxibustion at “non-acupoint” for 15 min after exercise. At one hour after the end of the 12-week training program, the left ventricular diastolic volume (LVDV), left ventricular systolic volume (LVSV), peak early diastolic mitral blood flow velocity (E), and peak late diastolic mitral blood flow velocity (A) were measured,and the E/A ratio were calculated. The serum myoglobin (Mb), creatine kinase-muscle/brain (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) levels were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Results: When the values obtained before and after treatment were compared within the same groups, the LVDV, LVSV, E, and A were increased ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), and the E/A were decreased ( P <0.01) in the untreated group and the tail group. Regarding inter-group comparisons, the LVDV, LVSV, E, and A were increased ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), and the E/A were decreased ( P <0.01) in the untreated group and the tail group compared to the normal group and control group. Compared to the untreated group and the tail group, the LVDV, LVSV, E, and A were decreased ( P <0.01) and the E/A were increased ( P <0.01) in the CV 8 group. Compared to the normal group and the control group, the serum Mb, CK-MB, and cTnI levels were increased ( P <0.01) in the untreated group and the tail group, and the serum Mb and CK-MB levels were also increased ( P <0.01) in the CV 8 group. Compared to the untreated group and the tail group the serum Mb, CK-MB, and cTnI levels in the CV 8 group were decreased ( P <0.01). Conclusions: Moxibustion at Shenque(CV8) can effectively prevent cardiac structural changes caused by exercise-induced fatigue and enhance heart function. This treatment does not have side effects in healthy rats and is a safe and effective technique..