[Effect of Moxibustion on Serum IL-17 and TNF-α Levels in Collagen-induced Arthritis Rats].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the influence of moxibustion on serum interleukin -17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, so as to study its mechanism underlying improvement of rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

A total of 40 male Wistar rats were used in the present study, and 8 rats were randomly selected as a normal control group. The other 32 rats were modeled. The primary immunity emulsion was made with mixed Type Ⅱ chicken collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant, and 0.3 mL emulsion (containing 0.3 mg collagen) was injected equally into left pelma, tail root and the back. Seven days after the primary immune, the same procedure was conducted to induce the secondary immunity, and the emulsion was made with mixed Type Ⅱ chicken collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The whole course of mo-deling lasted 21 days. And then 24 CIA rats were randomly divided into model group, medication group and moxibustion group (=8 in each group). For those of the moxibustion group, suspended moxibustion with 20 mm distance above "Zusanli"(ST 36)and "Kunlun" (BL 60) was performed for 20 min/acupoint, once daily, alternately on left and right hind limbs for 10 consecutive days. For those of the medication group, gavage of methotrexate (0.1 mg/100 g) was administrated once every 5 days, and totally two times. Left ankle joint diameter and body weight were detected, and X-ray of left tarsus was observed in each group before and after modeling or after treatment. Serum levels of IL-17 and TNF-α were determined by ELISA kits.

RESULTS

After modeling, the left ankle diameter and serum concentrations of IL-17 and TNF-α increased (<0.05), and the body weight decreased (<0.05) in the model group compared to the control group, combined with the tarsus soft tissue swelling, joint space narrowing, bone destruction seen from the tarsal X-ray. After intervention, the ankle diameter, the serum IL-17 and TNF-α levels decreased (<0.05), and the body weight increased (<0.05) in both medication and moxibustion groups compared to the model group; meanwhile the tarsus soft tissue swelling and the bone deformity turned to be improved. There were no significant differences between the medication group and the moxibustion group in above mentioned indexes (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Moxi-bustion is effective in CIA rats, and the mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum IL-17 and TNF-α levels.