OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of 10.6-μm laser moxibustion (LM) and traditional moxibustion (TM) on kidney deficiency (KYD) model rats.

METHODS

Forty rats were randomly divided into normal, model, 10.6-μm LM, and TM groups. KYD was induced through intramuscular hydrocortisone injections.

RESULTS

Hydrocortisone injections decreased the body weight, activity, and temperature and induced changes in the organ coefficients. Compared with the model group, TM and LM treatment prevented body weight loss and improved organ coefficients after treatment ( < 0.05), while the body weight remained lower compared to the normal group ( < 0.01). Additionally, LM and TM significantly increased the levels of urine 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) compared with the model group ( < 0.01). The LM and TM groups showed a greater distance travelled across the central area, time spent in the central area, and 5-min total distance than the model group in the open field test ( < 0.01). The model group had the lowest anal or surface temperature ( < 0.05); there were no differences among the other three groups ( > 0.05). TM treatment increased the temperature of Mingmen (GV4) and Guanyuan (CV4) compared to the model group ( < 0.05, < 0.01). LM treatment increased Mingmen (GV4) temperature ( < 0.05), while there were no obvious differences in Guanyuan (CV4) temperature compared with the normal group before and after treatment ( > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between Mingmen (GV4)/Guanyuan (CV4) temperature and 17-OHCS levels.

CONCLUSIONS

LM and TM treatment can improve KYD symptoms, and acupoint temperature changes may be an objective indicator of KYD.