ANTIINFLAMMATORY AND REPERCUSSIVE EFFECT OF MOXIBUSTION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON CYTOKINES,FREE RADICALS IN ARTHRITIC RATS

Objective:To observe the anti inflammatory and repercussive effect of moxibustion on adjuvant arthritis(AA) in rats,and explore its mechanism in treating rheumatoid arthritis.Method:AA rat model was established.The rats were divided into six groups.The specially little moxibustion was hanged in treating.The inflammatory swelling level was expressed by the metatarsal joint perimeter of rats.Tumor necrosis factor(TNF),interleukin 1(IL 1),interleukinc 2(IL 2) and nitric oxide(NO) in serum were determined by the method of radioimmunoassay and biochemistry.Result:Moxibustion at Zusanli and Shenshu acupoints could dissipate bloodstasis and relieve the swelling,shorten the metatarsal joint perimeter of rats,prevent or alleviate the multiple arthritis of rats,and decrease the content of TNF and NO in serum,but the content of IL 2 in serum was increased.Above mentioned indexes were significantly different as compared with those of model group(P0.05),except for IL 1.The effect was not significantly different between Zusanli and Shenshu acupoint,and close to triterpenoids glycosides.The therapeutic effect of non acupoint group was not evident.Conclusion:Moxibustion at Zusanli and Shenshu acupoints can reduce swelling and dissipate blood stasis.Its mechanism is likely related to decreasing the content of the inflammatory cytokines,modifying immunologic disorder and regulating dysbolism of free radicals.hortenthemetatarsaljoin