【Animal Modeling】-Comparative study of the effects of different acupuncture methods on cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in knee osteoarthritis models

  Purpose: To compare three different acupuncture methods of acupuncture, warm acupuncture and electroacupuncture on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factors-α (TNF) in knee osteoarthritis models. -α), transforming growth factor-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1, TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1, MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-3, MMP- 3) and the influence of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), discuss the difference in the metabolism of articular cartilage matrix in different acupuncture treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

  Method: 30 New Zealand rabbits were selected and randomly divided into normal group, model group, acupuncture group, warm acupuncture moxibustion group and electric acupuncture group, with 6 rabbits in each group. The experimental knee osteoarthritis model was established by cutting the ligament and intersecting the ligaments. Each treatment group selected the "Housanli" and "Dubi" points, and was treated with simple acupuncture, warm acupuncture and electric acupuncture respectively, for a total of 20 treatments. After the treatment, the ELISA method was used to detect the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in the serum of each group, and compare the differences of various indicators between the groups.

  Results: Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and MMP-1 in each treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P <0.01), and the degree of MMP-3 in the warm acupuncture moxibustion group was significantly increased High (P <0.05); compared between the treatment groups, the level of MMP-3 in the electro-acupuncture group was lower than that in the acupuncture group and warm acupuncture moxibustion group (P <0.01), mmp-1="" the="" degree="" of="" comparison="" between="" treatment="" groups="" was="" not="" statistically="" significant="" p="">0.05).

  Conclusion: Acupuncture, warm needle moxibustion, and electroacupuncture can regulate the abnormal IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and MMP-1 levels in the serum of knee osteoarthritis model, and control the local elements of cartilage degeneration. So it plays a role in delaying cartilage degeneration, among which warm acupuncture has a more significant conditioning effect.