Objective To observe the influence of moxibustion on serum interleukin-17(IL-17)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)levels in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rats

so as to study its mechanism underlying improvement of rheumatoid arthritis.Methods A total of 40 male Wistar rats were used in the present study

and 8rats were randomly selected as a normal control group.The other 32 rats were modeled.The primary immunity emulsion was made with mixed TypeⅡchicken collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant

and 0.3mL emulsion(containing 0.3mg collagen)was injected equally into left pelma

tail root and the back.Seven days after the primary immune

the same procedure was conducted to induce the secondary immunity

and the emulsion was made with mixed TypeⅡ chicken collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant.The whole course of modeling lasted 21 days.And then 24 CIA rats were randomly divided into model group

medication group and moxibustion group(n=8in each group).For those of the moxibustion group

suspended moxibustion with 20 mm distance above"Zusanli"(ST 36)and"Kunlun"(BL 60)was performed for 20min/acupoint

once daily

alternately on left and right hind limbs for 10 consecutive days.For those of the medication group

gavage of methotrexate(0.1mg/100g)was administrated once every 5days

and totally two times.Left ankle joint diameter and body weight were detected

and X-ray of left tarsus was observed in each group before and after modeling or after treatment.Serum levels of IL-17 and TNF-αwere determined by ELISA kits.Results After modeling

the left ankle diameter and serum concentrations of IL-17 and TNF-αincreased(P<0.05)

and the body weight decreased(P<0.05)in the model group compared to the control group

combined with the tarsus soft tissue swelling

joint space narrowing

bone destruction seen from the tarsal X-ray.After intervention

the ankle diameter

the serum IL-17 and TNF-αlevels decreased(P<0.05)

and the body weight increased(P<0.05)in both medication and moxibustion groups compared to the model group;meanwhile the tarsus soft tissue swelling and the bone deformity turned to be improved.There were no significant differences between the medication group and the moxibustion group in above mentioned indexes(P>0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion is effective in CIA rats

and the mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum IL-17 and TNF-αlevels.