Effect Of Warming Acupuncture On Expression Of TGF - β1 And IGF - I In Knee Joints Of K0A Rabbits

Osteoarthritis has a high incidence in clinic, especially in elderly people who are vulnerable to chronic degenerative diseases. OA usually leads to KOA because of knee joint’s heavy press. KOA lasts long due to multiple effects, so the study on its mechanism and therapy should be deeper and wilder. Inflammation has long been held to be one of the most important factor which can cause KOA. Recently, KOA is thought to be due to the imbalance of knee cartilage cell metabolize, That means, this balance is kept by two parts:inflammatory factors’ damage effects and protective factors’ protect effects. Prior study has a breakthrough on inflammatory factors such as TNF-α,il-1β, however, reparative factors has a blank space on study. This research observe how acupuncture and moxibustion effects TGF and IGF level in KOA rabbits’ knee cartilage, in order to discuss the mechanism from another aspect.ObjectiveTo observe the effects of warm-needle moxibustion on TGF-β1 and IGF-Ⅰ expression in knee cartilage of knee osteoarthritis rabbits and to further discuss its mechanism. Recent researches show that acupuncture and moxibustion have treatment effects on KOA in clinic, but its mechanism is still behind the veil.MethodsThirty Japanese white rabbits were divided into normal control group, modeling group and warm-needle moxibustion group randomly. Rabbits in modeling group and treatment group were modeled by knee immobilization method. Warm-needle moxibustion group was treated by warm-needle moxibustion everyday 30min per time, while no treatment for normal control group or modeling group. After four-week treatment, expressions of TGF-β1 and IGF-Ⅰ in knee cartilage were measured by immunohistology approach, morphological changes of knee cartilage were observed via HE staining method.Results1. Behavioral observation results:Lequesne MG score shows:model group and acupuncture and Moxibustion group rabbits have different with normal group in joint shape, pace form. Knee cartilage color:model group is more yellow; articular cavity: model group has no effusion or osteophyte while model group has. HE results support that the model is effective.2. Changes of TGF-β1 and IGF-I in knee cartilage:Expressions of TGF-β1 and IGF-I in modeling group were higher than that in normal control group;Expressions of TGF-β1 and IGF-Ⅰ in warm-needle moxibustion group were lower than that in modeling group. HE results showed us that cartilage cells in knee-articular cartilage were more smooth and complete than that in modeling group.Conclusion:Warm-needle moxibustion therapy improve the condition of knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting expression of TGF-β1 and IGF-I, and promote knee cartilage repair via reducing inflammatory cell infiltration.