[Effect of Grain-moxibustion on IL-6 and STAT 3 in Inflammatory Microenvironment of Lewis Lung Cancer Mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of grain-moxibustion on serum interleukin-6(IL-6) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT 3) in inflammatory microenvironment of Lewis lung cancer mice, so as to explore its possible mechanism underlying relieving Lewis lung cancer.

METHODS: C 57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, and moxibustion group ( n =10 in each group). Lewis lung cancer model was established by hypodermic injection of Lewis tumor cell suspension. Mice in the moxibustion group were treated by grain-moxibustion at bilateral "Housanli"(ST 36), 5 zhuang each acupoint, once a day for 10 days. The body weight, survival state score, volume of tumor, and survival rate were observed. Serum IL-6 level was detected by ELISA, and the expression of STAT 3 in tumor tissue was determined by Wes-tern blot.

RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the body weight was significantly increased in the model group ( P <0.05). The volume of tumor increased significantly in the model group, while it markedly decreased in the moxibustion group after 8 and 10 days treatment compared with the model group ( P <0.05). The survival state of mice deteriorated companied with decreased survival rate in the model group, however, after 6, 8 or 10 days treatment, the survival state scores were increased in the moxibustion group than in the model group ( P <0.05). Compared with the blank control group, both serum IL-6 level and STAT 3 expression in tumor tissue were increased significantly in the model group ( P <0.001). Compared with the model group, both serum IL-6 level and STAT 3 expression in tumor tissue were decreased significantly in the moxibustion group ( P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Grain-moxibustion has remarkable effect on Lewis lung cancer, by improving survival state, reducing death rate, and controlling growth rate of tumor, which might be associated with its function of inhibiting the activation of IL-6 and STAT 3 in inflammatory microenvironment.