Effects of moxibustion on Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ expressions in synovium of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis
Objective To observe the effects of moxibustion on the inflammatory factor interleukin-2(IL-2)and the expressions of Beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ)in the synovium of rats with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to explore the mechanism of action of moxibustion treating RA.Methods A total of 36 SD male rats were randomly divided into blank,model,methotrexate,and moxibustion groups,with nine rats in each group.The rat model of RA was established by complete Freund's adjuvant.After modeling,moxibustion group was treated with moxibustion at"ZuSanli"(ST36)and"Guanyuan"(CV4)for 20 min,once a day.Methotrexate group was given methotrexate intragastrically(0.35 mg/kg)twice a week.The rats in blank,model,and methotrexate groups were bound for the time and intensity as same as those of moxibustion group daily.All groups were intervened for three weeks.The general condition of the rats was observed.The paw volume of the left hind limb of rats was measured by the paw volume measuring instrument,the content of serum IL-2 was determined by ELISA,and the relative expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ proteins in the ankle synovial tissues of the rats were determined by Western blot.Results Compared with model group,the spirit of the rats in methotrexate and moxibustion groups was average,their reaction and intake of food and water were passable with more activities,the body weight was restored,the redness and swelling of their paws were alleviated,and the local inflammation and systemic polyarthritis were less severe than those in model group.Compared with blank group,the paw volume of the rats in model group increased on the 3rd,10th,17th,and 24th days after modeling(P<0.01),which,along with the general condition of the rats,suggested a successful modeling;meanwhile,the paw volume of the rats in methotrexate and moxibustion groups increased on the 24th day(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the paw volume of the rats in methotrexate group significantly decreased on the 17th and 24th days after modeling(P<0.05,P<0.01),and that in moxibustion group significantly decreased on the 10th,17th,and 24th days(P<0.01).After three-week intervention,the expression level of serum IL-2 in model group was significantly elevated(P<0.01),and the protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱin the synovial tissues were significantly higher(P<0.01);compared with model group,the expression level of serum IL-2 in methotrexate and moxibustion groups was reduced significantly(P<0.05),and the protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ in the synovial tissues of moxibustion group were lower significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can alleviate the joint swelling of RA rats and decrease the content of IL-2.The mechanism of action may be related to regulating the protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ.
rheumatoid arthritisadjuvant-induced arthritissynovial tissuemoxibustioninterleukin-2Beclin-1micro-tubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ
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