Moxibustion treatment increases the survival rate of lung infection of patients bed-ridden due to osteoporotic fracture of the spine via regulation of the inflammatory responses

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the potential role of moxibustion (MOX) in the treatment of lung infection in patients bed-ridden due to osteoporotic fracture of the spine. METHODS: 96 senile patients with pulmonary infection who were bed-ridden due to osteoporotic fracture of the spine were grouped into a MOX (–) group and a MOX (+) group. An animal model was established as a SHAM group, a PRIMED group, a MOX 15’ group and a MOX 30’ group. RESULTS: For the patients’ study, we found that the survival rate was higher for patients who received MOX. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6 and IL-18 were down-regulated while IL-10 was up-regulated by MOX. MOX time-dependently increased the survival while reducing the bacteria left in infected mice. CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion significantly alleviated the inflammatory responses, thus leading to a better survival rate of patients bed-ridden due to osteoporotic fracture of the spine.