[Effects of moxibustion on the ultrastructure of synovial cells of knee joint and serum cytokines in adjuvant arthritis rats].

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion on the ultrastructure of synovial cells of knee joint and serum cytokines in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of moxibustion in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Forty-five Wistar male rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, with 15 rats in each group. In the model group and the moxibustion group, the AA model was replicated under wind, cold and humid environment and by injection with complete freund's adjuvant. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) was used, 20 min each time, once daily, for consecutive 21 days. In the normal group and the model group, no intervention was processed. The scores of the knee joint swelling degree (JSD) and arthritis index (AI) were compared among groups. The ultrastructure of synovial cells of knee joint were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). The levels of serum cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interieukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were detected using ELISA method.

Results: Compared with the normal group, JSD and AI scores, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased (<0.01), while IL-10 was reduced (<0.01) in the model group after intervention. JSD and AI scores, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were lower (<0.05, <0.01), while the level of IL-10 was higher (<0.01) in the moxibustion group compared with the model group. Compared with the normal group, the ultrastructure of synovial cell was obviously damaged in the model group, and the damage was attenuated in the moxibustion group compared with the model group.

Conclusion: Moxibustion can reduce the symptoms of arthritis in AA rats, which may be related to the improvement of the ultrastructure of synovial cells and the regulation of cytokines.