| Objective:Based on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,the effect of moxibustion on serum interleukin-1β(IL-1β),β-catenin(β-catenin)and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3)contents in rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients were observed,and the effect of moxibustion on cartilage metabolism in RA patients were investigated.Methods:Seventy-four patients with RA who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the control group and the treatment group.The control group received routine treatment with methotrexate(7.5-15 mg,qw),folate(10mg,qw)or leflunomide(10mg,qd)as the main drugs.On the basis of the control group,patients in the treatment group were treated with moxibustion at Shenshu,Zusanli,and Ashi points,3 times a week for 5 consecutive weeks,a total of 15 times.The tender joint count(TJC),swollen joint count(SJC),visual analogue score(VAS),disease activity score(DAS),and health assessment questionnaire(HAQ)were recorded and evaluated before and after treatment.Rate-scattering turbidimetry and instrumental method were used to detect the routine inspection indicators: C-reactive protein(CRP),rheumatoid factor(RF),and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR).The levels of IL-1β,MMP-3,and β-catenin in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).All data were statistically analyzed using SPSS26.0.Results:1.Baseline analysis:There were no significant differences in general data(gender,age,and course of disease),clinical symptoms(TJC,SJC,VAS,DAS28,and HAQ),routine inspection indicators(CRP,RF,and ESR),and serum levels of IL-1β,MMP-3,and β-catenin between the two groups before treatment(P > 0.05).2.Effect of moxibustion on clinical symptoms of RA patients:(1)In-group comparison: there were statistical differences in clinical symptoms between the two groups before and after treatment(P < 0.05).(2)Intergroup comparison: the improvement of clinical symptoms in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P < 0.05).3.Effect of moxibustion on routine inspection indicators of RA patients:(1)In-group comparison: the contents of RF and ESR in both groups were decreased before and after treatment(P < 0.05),while the contents of CRP was not significantly decreased(P > 0.05).(2)Intergroup comparison: the routine inspection indicators of the two groups were not improved significantly(P > 0.05).4.Effect of moxibustion on serum IL-1β,MMP-3,and β-catenin contents in RA patients:(1)In-group comparison: there were significant statistical differences in serum IL-1β,MMP-3,and β-catenin in the treatment group before and after treatment(P < 0.01),while there were no significant differences in the control group(P > 0.05).(2)Intergroup comparison: serum levels of IL-1β,MMP-3,and β-catenin in treatment group decreased more significantly than that in the control group(P < 0.05).Conclusion:1.Moxibustion can enhance the improvement of clinical symptoms of RA patients with conventional western medicine,relieve the pain and swelling of the joints,restore the normal function and activity of the damaged joints,and improve the quality of life of patients.2.The improvement of clinical symptoms and conditions in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group,which may be that moxibustion strengthened the effect of conventional western medicine on the contents of IL-1β,β-catenin,and MMP-3 in the serum of RA patients.3.Moxibustion may have a potential preventive effect on cartilage lesions in RA patients through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,which may be related to that moxibustion can reduce the serum levels of IL-1β of RA patients,degrade β-catenin,inhibit the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,thus affecting the transcription of downstream target gene MMP-3,and reduce the degradation of extracellular matrix,but further and more comprehensive exploration is still needed. |
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