[Effect of Warm-needle-moxibustion on Behavior Reactions and TNF-α and MMP-3 Contents in Knee Cartilage of Rabbits with Knee Osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of warm-needle-moxibustion on behavior changes and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the knee cartilage tissue of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) so as to explore its mechanisms in relieving KOA. METHODS: Thirty male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model and treatment groups (n=10 in each group). The KOA model was established by using immobilization me-thod. The internal and external "Dubi" (ST 35), "Xuehai" (SP 10) and "Yanglingquan "(GB 34) were punctured with filiform needles first, followed by attaching an ignited moxa column to the handle of each inserted needles. The treatment was conducted for 20 min every time, once daily for 4 weeks. The behavioral scores were assessed according to the pain severity, gait, joint motion range and articular swelling severity in reference to the modified Lequesne's methods. The TNF-α and MMP-3 contents in the knee joint cartilage tissue were assayed by radioimmunoassay, and pathological changes of the articular cartilage tissue were observed under microscope after sectioning and H.E. staining. RESULTS: The Lequesne total score, and the cartilage TNF-α and MMP-3 contents were significantly increased in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.05), and obviously down-regulated after warm-needle-moxibustion intervention (P<0.05). Under light microscope, the inflammatory infiltration of the articular cartilage and the disordered arrangement of chondrocytes in KOA rabbits were improved in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Warm-needle-moxibustion intervention can improve the motor function of rabbits with KOA, which may be related to its effects in reducing the level of TNF-α and MMP-3 in articular cartilage tissue.