Work

The Effects of Laser Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Rats

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Although chronic pain affects the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis, current medical treatments are either ineffective or have long-term side effects. Recently, low-intensity laser irradiation of corresponding acupoints was demonstrated to alleviate pain. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 10.6 μm laser moxibustion on a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis pain model. Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Saline, MIA, MIA+Laser, and MIA+Sham Laser. The 10.6 μm laser was used to irradiate the ST35 for 10 min once a day for a total of seven applications. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and weight-bearing difference were performed to evaluate the analgesic effects of laser moxibustion. At the end of the experiment on days 28, the joint histology, the levels of metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13) in the cartilage, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the synovial membrane were measured to determine the chondroprotection and anti-inflammatory effect of laser moxibustion. Results: Early laser moxibustion significantly reversed the MIA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and weight-bearing difference, especially on the 28th day ( p < 0.001). Moreover, laser moxibustion prevented the articular pathological lesions and cartilage destruction on days 28 ( p < 0.01). Remarkably, the levels of cartilage MMP-13, and synovial TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 also decreased on day 28 ( p < 0.05) after the early treatment of laser moxibustion. Conclusions: 10.6 μm laser moxibustion may have long-lasting analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotection effects, suggesting that it may emerge as a potential therapeutic strategy for the chronic pain treatment of osteoarthritis.

Source: Photobiomodulation Photomedicine and Laser Surgery

DOI: 10.1089/photob.2019.4716

Authors: Yuan Li, Fan Wu, Jianzi Wei, Lixing Lao, Xueyong Shen

Institutions: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridians

Language: English

Topic: Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, National Key Research and Development Program of China