Objective

2

To observe the effects of different suspension moxibustion methods on the syndrome characteristics and inflammatory factors of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of heat

bi

syndrome and to prove the concept of "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome".

Methods

2

Among seventy Wistar rats

12 rats were randomly selected as a normal group

and the remaining rats were induced by collagen combined with wind

dampness

and heat environmental stimulation to establish the RA model of heat

bi

syndrome. Forty-eight rats with successful model establishment were further randomly divided into a model group and three moxibustion groups (mild moxibustion group

rotating moxibustion group and sparrow-pecking moxibustion group)

with 12 rats in each group. The acupoints "Quchi" (LI 11)

"Dazhui" (GV 14) and

ashi

point were used in all moxibustion groups

with mild moxibustion

rotating moxibustion

and sparrow-pecking moxibustion intervention given respectively

each acupoint was treated with moxibustion for 10 min a day

and 6 days were considered one course of treatment

with a total of three courses. After the intervention

the arthritis index (AI)

the Evans blue (EB) extravasated volume in the soft tissue of the right hind paw

and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10 in the serum were measured by ELISA in each group. The volume of the bilateral hind paw was measured; the infrared thermal imaging was collected to analyze the temperature of the plantar area of the bilateral foot pads

and the reaction time of plantar heat pain was calculated before and after modeling

as well as after the 1st

2nd and 3rd courses of interrention. The ankle dorsiflexion angle of the ri

ght hind foot was also measured before and after modeling

as well as after the intervention.

Results

2

After modeling

compared with the normal group

the rats in the model group had more high-temperature areas in the bilateral hind limbs

abnormal AI score

abnormal bilateral hind paw volume

abnormal temperature of the plantar area of the bilateral foot pads

abnormal foot pain response time

abnormal right hind ankle dorsiflexion angle

abnormal right hind paw soft tissue EB extravasation

and abnormal serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05). After the intervention

compared with the model group

the rats in each moxibustion group had decreased or disappeared high-temperature areas in the bilateral hind limbs

EB extravasated volume in the soft tissue of the right hind paw was reduced (

P

<

0.05)

and the right ankle dorsiflexion angle was increased (

P

<

0.05)

serum level of TNF-α was reduced

and level of IL-10 increased (

P

<

0.05); the AI scores in the mild moxibustion group and the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group was decreased (

P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05). After the 1st

2nd and 3rd courses of intervention

compared with the model group

the bilateral hind paw volume of rats in each moxibustion group was decreased (

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

and plantar heat pain reaction time was increased (

P

<

0.05). After the 2nd course and the 3rd course of intervention

the temperature of the right hind paw pad area was decreased in each moribustion group (

P

<

0.05); after the 3rd courses of intervention

the temperature of the left hind paw pad area was decreased in the mild moxibustion group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Suspension moxibustion could adjust the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 to improve the syndrome characteristics of RA rats of heat

bi

syndrome

such as joint redness

swelling

heat

pain and activity restriction. The effect of mild moxibustion is the most prominent. The findings could provide scientific basis for "moxibustion can be used for heat syndrome".