The effect of moxibustion on the in vitro and in vivo skin permeation of salicylate was evaluated in rats. First, the effect of moxibustion pretreatment on the elimination pharmacokinetics of salicylate after i.v. injection in rats was determined: no clear difference was observed in the plasma profiles of salicylate (SA) with or without moxibustion pretreatment. However, much higher skin and muscle concentrations of salicylate were observed after its i.v. injection. Next, an in vitro skin permeation study of SA was performed after moxibustion pretreatment. Moxibustion pretreatment increased the skin permeation of SA, and the extent of the increase in SA skin permeation was related to the strength of moxibustion ignition. More intense treatments produced higher skin permeation. A similar enhancement effect on the skin permeation of SA was observed in in vivo studies. Interestingly, the skin/plasma and muscle/plasma ratios of SA were markedly increased by moxibustion pretreatment. These results were due to the induction of enhanced skin permeation and lower clearance into the cutaneous vessels by moxibustion ignition. Combination treatment involving moxibustion and the topical application of drugs such as NSAID may be useful for increasing local pharmaceutical effects by enhancing the drug concentration in the skin and muscle underneath the topical application site.

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motion of lower extremity and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy who have walking ability. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2011; 2: 82-88. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between range of motion of lower extremity and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have walking ability. Methods: The subjects were 30 children with CP who were able to walk and were classifi ed as level I -III according to the Gross Motor Function Classifi cation System for children with CP (GMFCS). We measured range of motion (ROM) of lower extremity as follows: 1) hip joint extension in Thomas posture; 2) knee joint extension; and 3) ankle joint dorsifl exion under knee joint extension. At the same time, we evaluated gross motor function at the dimension of standing and the dimension of walking, running and jumping by gross motor function measure (GMFM). Results: There was a signifi cant difference in ROM of hip joint extension between GMFCS level I and III and also between GMFCS level II and III, and hip joint ROM was closely related to gross motor function. ROM of knee joint extension was more limited in GMFCS level I -II children than in GMFCS level III.ROM of ankle joint extension did not differ signifi cantly among the 3 GMFCS levels, and the correlation between ankle joint ROM and gross motor function was weak. Conclusion:The results suggested that lower extremity ROM is one of the factors related to gross motor function in children with CP.