[Effects of heat and cool-producing needling manipulations on rectal temperature and serum endotoxin content in endotoxin-induced heat syndrome rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effect of traditional manipulations of "Shaoshanhuo" (heat-producing needling) and "Toutianliang"(cool-producing needling) on body temperature and serum endotoxin level in heat syndrome rabbits.

Methods: Twenty-four Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into control, model, Shaoshanhuo and Toutianliang groups. Heat-syndrome model was established by subcutaneous injection of bacterium coli endotoxin solution (40 microg/mL, 2 mL/kg). Heat-producing and cool-producing needling was applied to bilateral "Quchi" (LI 11) for 5 min, respectively. Rectal temperature was detected by using a thermometer, and serum endotoxin content assayed by using Limulus Ameboyte Lysate kit (luminescence measuring).

Results: In comparison with the control group, both rectal temperature and serum endotoxin levels were increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01). While compared to the model group, the rectal temperature and serum endotoxin levels were down-regulated considerably in both Shaoshanhuo and Toutianliang groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The effect of the Toutianliang group was obviously superior to that of the Shaoshanhuo group in reducing serum endotoxin content (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Both heat-producing needling and cool-producing needling can lower rectal temperature and serum endotoxin levels in heat-syndrome rabbits, and the effect of cool-producing needling is relatively better in reducing endotoxin content.