[Effect of electroacupunctu-e intervention on serum IL-17 and IL-23 contents in rheumatoid arthritis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Kunlun" (BL 60) on serum and knee-joint IL-17 and IL-23 contents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats so as to study its underlying mechanism in improving RA. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to normal control, RA model, EA and Prednisolone groups (n = 8 in each group). The RA model was established by intra-planta injection of incomplete Freund's adjuvant and type II collagen. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz,1-2 mA)was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) and "Kunlun"(BL 60) for 30 min, once daily for 10 days. The rats' ankle diameter was measured, and IL-17 and IL-23 contents in the serum and the knee-joint cavity were assayed by ELISA and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal control group, the rats' ankle diameter, serum IL-17 and IL-23 contents and knee-joint IL-17 and IL-23 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). After EA and Prednisolone treatment, compared with the model group, all the rats' ankle diameter, serum IL-17 and IL-23 contents and knee-joint IL-17 and IL-23 protein expression levels were decreased remarkably (P < 0.05). No obvious differences were found between the EA and Prednisolone groups in the aforementioned indexes (P > 0.05), except IL-17 protein expression level (being markedly lower in the Prednisolone group than in the EA group). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can reduce inflammatory reaction of the ankle-joint in RA rats, which may be related to its effects in down-regulating serum and knee-joint IL-17 and IL-23 levels.