Objective To systematically review the effects of moxibustion on serum cytokines in experimental animals with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods PubMed

Embase

Web of Science

The Cochrane Library

CNKI

VIP

Wanfang Data

and CBM were searched for animal experiments on moxibustion intervention for rheumatoid arthritis. Related data were extracted

and RevMan 5.3 was used to perform a meta-analysis of outcome measures

including serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

interleukin-1(IL-1)

interleukin-6(IL-6)

vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)

interleukin-17(IL-17)

interleukin-2(IL-2)

interferon-γ(IFN-γ)

receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand(RANKL)

transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)

and degree of swelling of diseased joint. Results A total of 18 studies were included. The detection methods included radioimmunoassay and ELISA and the experimental animal species included rats and rabbits. The studies on serum TNF-α and degree of swelling of diseased joint had publication bias. Meta-analysis showed that the moxibustion group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TNF-α

IL-1

IL-2

IL-6

VEGF

IL-17

and RANKL

significant increases in the serum levels of TGF-β and IFN-γ

and a significant reduction in the degree of swelling of diseased joints in model animals. Conclusion Moxibustion can effectively regulate levels of the serum cytokines in experimental animals of rheumatoid arthritis and thus reduce inflammatory response and alleviate the swelling of diseased joints.