Effect Of Electroacupuncture On TNF-α, IL-1β And ICAM-1 In CIA Model Rats

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of Electro-acupuncture(EA) on the positive expression of IL-1βin bone and synovial tissue, the serum TNF-α、IL-1β and ICAM-1 levels in collagen-induced arthritis rats so as to explore its potential mechanism in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are numerous RA patients in our country, western medicine therapy has much limitations in treating this disease. EA therapy is relatively simple and economic, effective and low side effects, hope to be able to further promote in clinical.MethodsTaken 8 rats as normal control group from 60 male Wistar rats randomly, and the other used infreund’s adjuvant and type Ⅱ chicken collagen to induce arthritis. After molding, taken the rest of rats randomly which successfully induced were divided into three groups:model group, prednisolone group and electro-acupuncture group. EA (2/100Hz, 1-2mA) was adhibited to "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Kunlun"(BL60) for 30 min, once daily for 10 times in total to electro-acupuncture group. Prednisolone acetate(0.1ml/10g) was intragastric infused to prednisolone group daily. To measure the rats’ body weight, left ankle diameter and arthritis index which according to the Wood’s arthritis evaluation criteria at pre-modeling(dayl), modeling(day7), modeling(day14), pre-treatment(day21) and after treatment(day30), then test the positive expression of IL-1β in bone and synovial tissue by IHC, test the contents of TNF-α、IL-1βand ICAM-1 in serum by ELISA.ResultsIn contrast with control group, the rats in model group have worse general situation, swelling paw and claudication, depression, poor appetite and activity obstacle; rats’body weight decreased significantly(P<0.05); ankle diameter and AI score increased evidently(P<0.05); IL-1β in bone and synovial tissue high expressed(P<0.05); TNF-α、IL-1β and ICAM-1 contents in serum increased remarkably(P<0.05). compared with model group, the rats in prednisolone group and electro-acupuncture group have better general situation after the treatment, swelling subsided, normal eating and flexible activity; rats’ body weight decline eased, but not significantly(P>0.05); ankle diameter and AI score reduced(P<0.05); IL-1β in bone and synovial tissue low expressed obviously(P<0.05); TNF-α、IL-1β and ICAM-1 contents in serum decreased (P<0.05). while the prednisolone group and electro-acupuncture group had no distinct difference (P>0.05).ConclusionThe electro-acupuncture has therapeutic effect on improve CIA rats’ general situation, eliminate swelling, promote appetite, recover hair luster, increase flexible activity; slow the trend of body weight of decline; reduce rats’ ankle diameter, inflammation and AI score; relieve limp; decline hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltration and the positive expression of IL-1β in bone and synovial tissue; reduce the secretion of TNF-α、IL-1β and ICAM-1 in serum. Infered that reduce the positive expression of IL-1β in tissue and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines is one of the mechanisms of EA in treating RA. But the exact underlying mechanism is still need further in-depth analysis laboratory research. Prompting that EA therapy has obvious therapeutic effect in treating CIA rats, worth to provide in clinical.