Influence of moxibustion temperatures on blood lipids, endothelin-1, and nitric oxide in hyperlipidemia patients

Abstract OBJECTIVE:To observe the influence of moxibustion temperature on blood lipids,endothelin-1(ET-1),nitric oxide(NO),and ET-1/NO in hyperlipidemia patients.METHODS:Forty-two primary hyperlipidemia patients were randomly divided into two groups of 21and treated with moxibustion at different temperatures.Moxibustion was performed with the moxa roll 2.5-3.0 cm from the skin in the treatment group and 4 cm in the control group,10 min per point,once every other day.Skin temperature was precisely measured with a thermometer during moxibustion.After a 12-week treatment,seven measurements of blood lipids,ET-1,and NO were recorded.RESULTS:Total cholesterol and triglyceride,were lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).Serum ET-1 and ET-1/NO was obvi-ously lowered in the treatment group(P<0.001).Moxibustion regulated NO and ET-1/NO in the treatment group much better than in the control group.CONCLUSION:Moxibustion can regulate blood lipids and clear blood vessels.Moxibustion at45℃has a better effect than moxibustion at 38℃on regulating blood lipids and protecting vascular endothelial function,indicating that suitable temperature influences the curative effect of moxibustion.