Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (41): 7700-7703.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.41.024

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of moxibustion on the expressions of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha in joint synovial fluid of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis

Xiong Yong1, Peng Rui1, Xia Shu-shu2   

  1. 1 College of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan  430061, Hubei Province, China; 2 Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital of Hubei University, Wuhan  430061, Hubei Province, China
  • Online:2010-10-08 Published:2010-10-08
  • Contact: Xia Shu-shu, Doctor, Associate chief physician, Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital of Hubei University, Wuhan 430061, Hubei Province, China xss@hubu.edu.cn
  • About author:Xiong Yong☆, Doctor, Lecturer, College of Acupuncture- moxibustion and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430061, Hubei Province, China xiongyong1978@163.com
  • Supported by:

     the General Program of Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation, No. 2009CDB111*

PDF

397

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Moxibustion has advantages of the simple operation, painlessness and significantly curative effect, there was evidence that moxibustion shows definite clinical effectiveness in treating knee osteoarthritis. However, studies regarding effects of moxibustion on treating knee osteoarthritis remain still not deep enough.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in joint synovial fluid in rabbit with experimental knee osteoarthritis, and to explore its potential mechanism.
METHODS: Model of knee osteoarthritis was established with modified with plaster cast in extension position, and intervention was used at the beginning of model preparation. Animals in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion applied on Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Dubi (ST 35) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) (each acupoint for 10 minutes, once a day); animals in the chitosan group were treated with chitosan (20 mg/mL, 0.5 mL per inject, once a week) and in model group with nothing. At 8 weeks after model preparation, concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in joint synovial fluid were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Mankin score of rabbit was increased after knee osteoarthritis (P < 0.01), but the scores in the moxibustion group and chitosan group were lower than in model group respectively (P < 0.01), the scores in moxibustion group were not significantly different from in chitosan group (P > 0.05). The concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in the model group were significant increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the IL-1β and TNF-α in the moxibustion and chitosan groups were lower (P < 0.01), but there was no notable differences between the moxibustion group and chitosan group (P > 0.05). Moxibustion can decrease the joint synovial fluid level of IL-1β and TNF-α, which may contribute the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis.

CLC Number: