Electroacupuncture improves articular microcirculation and attenuates cartilage hypoxia in a male rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis.

Background And Aim: Hypoxia of the cartilage has been considered as a potential pathogenic factor in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Studies have shown that impaired blood perfusion of joint leads to cartilage hypoxia. Electroacupuncture (EA) has proven effects on pain relief and improving microcirculation.

Application of Acupotomy in a Knee Osteoarthritis Model in Rabbit.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most frequently encountered diseases in the orthopedic department, which seriously reduces the quality of life of people with KOA. Among several pathogenic factors, the biomechanical imbalance of the knee joint is one of the main causes of KOA. Acupotomology believes that restoring the mechanical balance of the knee joint is the key to treating KOA.

Acupotomy ameliorates subchondral bone absorption and mechanical properties in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis by regulating bone morphogenetic protein 2-Smad1 pathway.

Objective: To investigate the effects of acupotomy on the subchondral bone absorption and mechanical properties in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: The rabbits were divided into blank control, model, acupotomy and electroacupuncture (EA) groups, with 12 rabbits in each. Modified Videman's method was used to prepare KOA model.

Acupotomy inhibits aberrant formation of subchondral bone through regulating osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand pathway in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis induced by modified Videman method.

Objective: To investigate the effects of acupotomy on inhibiting abnormal formation of subchondral bone in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of 6 rabbits each [control, model, electroacupuncture (EA) and acupotomy]. Eighteen KOA model rabbits were established using a modified Videman method.