Effects of single moxibustion on phagocytic activity in mice.

Effects of moxibustion stimulation on the phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system in ddY and ICR mice has been studied by using the carbon clearance methods. It was found that moxibustion stimulation induced the enhancement of the phagocytic activity with increased phagocytic indexes (K and a indexes) and lysosomal enzyme activities in mice peritoneal exudate cells and peritoneal macrophages. In addition, the increase of carbon uptake in the Kupffer cells of the liver after carbon injection can be seen by light microscopy when compared with that of nontreated mice. Few big holes on the cell surface of the macrophages obtained from the moxibustion mice were observed in scanning electron microscopical studies. These results suggest that the moxibustion treatment caused the enhancement of the host defence mechanisms in mice.