Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling pathway in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)

so as to explore the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of RA. Methods A total of 120 RA patients admitted to the Xinyu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jiangxi Province from June 2018 to June 2019 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group

with 60 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received oral administration of Methotrexate

(10-15) mg/time

once a week

for a total of 10 weeks. On the basis of oral administration of Methotrexate

patients in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture at Quchi(LI11)

Zusanli(ST36)

Taichong(LR3)

Hegu(LI4)

Shenshu(BL23)

Geshu(BL17) and Dazhui(GV14) once daily. The treatment was conducted 6 consecutive times as a course for 10 courses. The serum C-reactive protein(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)

pain visual analog scale(VAS) score

number of swollen joints

and morning stiffness time before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The expression levels of inflammatory related factors and NF-κB p65 protein in the synovial fluid were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot separately. Results After treatment

both groups had significant decrease in CRP

ESR

VAS score

number of swollen joints and morning stiffness time

levels of NF-κB p65 protein

tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

interleukin-1β(IL-1β)

and IL-6(P<0.05) in the joint fluid

and increase in transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and IL-10(P<0.05). After treatment

compared with the control group

CRP

ESR

VAS score and morning stiffness time

and the levels of NF-κB p65

TNF-α

IL-1β and IL-6 in the treatment group were down-regulated(P<0.05)

while the level of TGF-β was up-regulated(P<0.05). The treatment group had a higher total effective rate than the control group[85.0%(51/60) vs 75.0%(45/60)

P<0.05]. Conclusion Acupuncture can inhibit the expression of NF-κB signaling pathway in RA patients

regulate the levels of related inflammatory factors

and thus improve the symptoms of RA patients.