The Effect of Indirect Gentle Moxibustion on Serum IL-1 and TNF-? Contents in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of indirect gentle moxibustion on serum IL-1 and TNF-?contents in patients with knee osteoarthritis and explore the mechanism of its action. Method A randomized controlled trial was conducted according to the patient's condition. Besides acupuncture as basic treatment, the treatment group received indirect gentle moxibustion and the control group, thermotherapy plus cupping. Pre-treatment and post-treatment serum IL-1 and TNF-?contents and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were analyzed in the patients and compared between the two groups. Result There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in serum IL-1 and TNF-? contents and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score in the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, serum IL-1 and TNF-?contents and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were lower in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion Indirect gentle moxibustion can effectively decrease serum IL-1 and TNF-?contents in patients with knee osteoarthritis. That provides a certain molecular cytobiological and bio tissue engineering basis for the mechanism of its action in reducing inflammatory stimulation.