To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis (OA) rabbits.
A total of 34 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group (n = 7), model group (n = 7), acupotomy group (n = 10) and electroacupuncture (EA) group (n = 10). OA model was established by left-hindlimb-joint-immobilization method. Acupotomy lysis was applied to the affected joint, once a week for 3 weeks. EA (2/100 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to "Yinlingquan" (SP 9), "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) and "Liangqiu" (ST 34) on the left hindlimb for 10 min, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 contents were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
In comparison with model group (grade III: 1 case; grade: 4 cases), the left knee-joint-motion range of rabbits in acupotomy and EA groups (grade I: 1 and 1 case; grade II: 4 and 3 cases; grade III: 2 and 2 cases; grade IV: 1 and 2 cases separately) increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with normal group, serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.05); while compared with model group, both MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels of acupotomy and EA groups reduced considerably (P < 0.05). No obvious difference was found between acupotomy and EA groups in the left knee-joint motion range, and serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels (P > 0.05).
Acupotomy is effective in lowering serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels, and in improving OA rabbits' knee-joint motion range.