[Effect of moxibustion on IL-6/STAT3 signaling in frontal cortex of fatigue rats].

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of moxibustion on interleukin-6(IL-6)/signal transduction and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3) signaling pathway in the frontal cortex of fatigue rats, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying alleviation of fatigue. METHODS Twenty-one male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, and moxibustion groups (n＝7 rats in each group). The fatigue model was established by forcing the rats to have an exhausted swim under load condition, once daily for 21 days. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36) for about 15 min, once every other day for 21 days. The level of IL-6 in the frontal cortex was detected by ELISA, and the expression of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2), signal transduction and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) proteins in the frontal cortex was detected by Western blot. RESULTS After modeling, the levels of IL-6 content and p-STAT3 protein expression and ratio of p-STAT3/STAT3 were significantly increased in the model group relevant to the normal control group (P 0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion intervention can relieve fatigue in fatigue rats, which is associated with its function in inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway to reduce inflammatory injury.