To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on serum TNF-α, IL-1β and Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats so as to explore its mechanism in relieving RA.
Eight Wistar rats were used as the normal control group in this study. The RA model was established by injecting mixture solution of incomplete Freund's adjuvant and type II chicken collagen into the left paw. The 24 successful RA rats were randomly divided into model, medication (Prednisolone) and EA groups (n = 8 in each group). EA(2 Hz /100 Hz,1-2 mA)was applied to "Zusanli"(ST 36) and "Kunlun" (BL 60) for 30 min, once daily for 10 days. For rats of the medication group, Prednisolone acetate (0. 1 mL/10 g) was intragastric infused daily. The rats' left ankle diameter was measured before and after the treatment, and the contents of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and ICAM-1 were assayed by ELISA.
In comparison with the normal control group, the rats' ankle diameter, serum TNF-α, IL-1β and ICAM-1 contents were remarkably increased in the model group (P < 0.05); while compared with the model group, the increased ankle diameter, and serum TNF-α, IL-1β and ICAM-1 contents were obviously reversed in both medication and EA groups ( P < 0.05), without significant differences between the medication and EA groups (P > 0.05).
EA intervention is effective in relieving RA rats' inflammatory reactions by down-regulating the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and ICAM-1.