ZHANG Haifeng, CHEN Shutao, MAO Jiaona, PAN Yi, HUANG Chao, XIONG Fuyong¹,

( 1 Hospital Affiliated to Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi Nanchang 330006；2 School of Graduates, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi Nanchang 330000 )

Abstract: Objective:  To observe the effects of heat-sensitive moxibustion on the content of Interleukin-1β（IL-1β）、 Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and  Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 （MMP-13） in KOA rabbits,and discuss the mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating KOA. Methods: 42 male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: blank control group(n=6), model group(n=6), moxibustion group(n=24) and sham-operated group(n=6).Blank control group was fed normally, model group and moxibustion group were injected with papain in order to set up KOA model, and sham-operated group was injected with normal saline. From the fisrt day of modeling, all rabbits(except blank group)  were forced to  move  15 days,  every day  for  30min.  After  modeling,  moxibustion  group  treated  with  suspended  moxibustion  at  the  point Dubi(ST35) ,40 min once time, once per day, totally 15 days.  Check and record the changes of rabbits’ temperature every 10min  to divide the moxibustion group into heat-sensitive moxibustion group and non heat-sensitive moxibustion group.  Two groups were randomly selected 6 rabits. The other three groups were fed as usual, with no special treatment.  At the end of treatment, the content of IL-1β  and TNF-α  in joint fluid was examined by  radioimmunoassay,  and the content of MMP-13 were examined by Real-time PCR. Results: The level of IL-1β、TNF-α  and MMP-13 of other groups were significantly lower than blank control group(P＜0.05，P＜0.01);   compared with model group, moxibustion group and sham-operated group  were  significantly  lower(P＜0.05，P＜0.01);and  the  levels  reduced  significantly  compared  heatsensitive moxibustiongroup with non heat-sensitive moxibustion group(P＜0.05，P＜0.01). Conclusion:Heat-sensitive moxibustion could treat KOA and reduce joint damage, which might be through inhibiting the content of IL-1β、TNF-α、MMP-13 and reducing inflammation.

Key words: Heat-sensitive moxibustion, KOA, IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-13