To observe the effect of warm-needle-moxibustion on behavior changes and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the knee cartilage tissue of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) so as to explore its mechanisms in relieving KOA.
Thirty male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model and treatment groups (
The Lequesne total score, and the cartilage TNF-α and MMP-3 contents were significantly increased in the model group than in the normal group (
Warm-needle-moxibustion intervention can improve the motor function of rabbits with KOA, which may be related to its effects in reducing the level of TNF-α and MMP-3 in articular cartilage tissue.