Objective To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis(OA) rabbits.Methods A total of 34 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group(n=7)

model group(n=7)

acupotomy group(n=10) and electroacupuncture(EA) group(n=10).OA model was established by left-hindlimb-joint-immobilization method.Acupotomy lysis was applied to the affected joint

once a week for 3 weeks.EA(2/100 Hz

2 mA) was applied to "Yinlingquan"(SP 9)

"Yanglingquan"(GB 34) and "Liangqiu"(ST 34) on the left hindlimb for 10 min

3 times a week for 3 weeks.Serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 contents were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method.Results In comparison with model group(grade Ⅲ: 1 case;grade Ⅳ: 4 cases)

the left knee-joint-motion range of rabbits in acupotomy and EA groups(grade Ⅰ: 1 and 1 case;grade Ⅱ: 4 and 3 cases;grade Ⅲ: 2 and 2 cases;grade Ⅳ: 1 and 2 cases separately) increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with normal group

serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 contents in model group increased significantly(P<0.05);while compared with model group

both MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels of acupotomy and EA groups reduced considerably(P<0.05).No obvious difference was found between acupotomy and EA groups in the left knee-joint motion range

and serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupotomy is effective in lowering serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels

and in improving OA rabbits' knee-joint motion range.