Objective: To observe the influence on IL-1β and IL-2 in rat models with rheumatoid arthritis after moxibustion on Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) points, and to discuss the mechanism of moxibustion. Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups,control group, model group, drug group, moxibustion group, and laser group, 10 for each. Four groups except the normal group were built on the model of rheumatoid arthritis. The changes of body weight and plantar circumference were measured and the level of IL-1β、 IL-2 in sera were examined by ELISA. Results: Compared with the model group, the weight and plantar circumference of rats in the moxibustion group were improved significantly after treatment (P＜0.01), and the improvement of plantar circumference also had significant differences compared with the drug group and the laser group (P＜0.05). The level of IL- 1β、 IL-2 in sera were down regulated in the moxibustion group and the laser group, which had statistical differences compared with the model group (P＜0.05), but no statistical differences were found when comparing with the drug group. Conclusion: Moxibustion obviously improves the toe tumefaction of the rats with rheumatoid arthritis, which is better than CO2 laser of 10.6μm. On the aspect of decreasing the amount of IL-1β、 IL-2, CO2 laser of 10.6 μm is similar with moxibustion.

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion therapy at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) of rats with induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the serumal intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICMA-1) and the pathological tissue, to discuss the mechanism of the warming and activating effect of moxibustion. Methods: After establishing the RA rats model, the induced rats were treated with moxibustion therapy on the acupoint Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36), followed by analyzing the pathological section of the ankle of the hind limb and testing the ICAM-1 content with ELISA. Results: The plantar circumferences of the induced rat increased significantly compared with the rats in the control group (P<0.01), accompanying with the increase of the synovial layer, the erosion of phlogocytes to chondrocytes and the specific increase of ICAM-1 content. After the moxibustion therapy, the plantar circumferences decreased significantly (P<0.01) while the synovial layer tended to reduce. In addition, there was no pathological damage of the articular cartilage and the ICAM content decreased with significant deviation (P<0.01), compared to the model group. Conclusion: It was concluded that moxibustion therapy could inhibit the arthrosynovitis and hyperplasia, ameliorate the erosion of phlogocyte to cartilage, prevent articular periosteal lesions and delay the pathological course. The warming and activating effect of moxibustion therapy may involve the inhibition of the formation of ICAM-1 and pannus.