Effects of Moxibustion at CV8 on Prohibitin-1 Expression and Mitochondrial Function in Skeletal Muscles of Rats With Long-Term Exercise-Induced fatigue

Abstract

Background: Physiological exercise-induced fatigue is a potential risk factor to human body in motion which can restrict the effectiveness of training and resulting muscle and joint strain. Both ancient texts and modern clinical reports have shown that moxibustion at CV8 alleviates exercise-induced fatigue. However, the pathophysiological mechanism of action is still unclear. Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on mitochondrial energy metabolism in skeletal muscle of fatigued rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, rats treated with moxibustion for 8 weeks to assess its efficacy in enhancing energy metabolism in skeletal muscle. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), prohibitin-1 (PHB1), FoF1-ATPase and mitochondrial morphology of the biceps femoris were analyzed to explore evidence of moxibustion in long-term exercise. Results: Our research indicated that moxibustion could reduce the levels of biceps MDH, PHB1 and FoF1-ATPase in fatigued rats, and increased SDH and ATP levels. The electron microscopy showed that the mitochondrial morphology in the untreated and non-acupoint groups swollen, the cristae either decreased or fractured, but the degree of CV8 group was significantly lower than the other two groups. Conclusions: Moxibustion at CV8 relieves motor fatigue by regulating the energy metabolism of skeletal muscle and is a safe and effective non-drug treatment.