Objective To compare the effects of moxibustion and scraping of “Yanglingquan”(GB34) and “Xuehai”(SP10) area on changes of bioactive substances in the region of acupoints in rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA). Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank

model

moxibustion

scraping

and moxibustion + scraping(combination) groups

with 8 rats in each group. The KOA model was established by injecting 50 Euclid SymbolmApL 0.9% sodium chloride solution into the right knee cavity. Fourteen days after modeling

GB34 and SP10 on the right limb were stimulated by moxibustion(10 min) or scraping(till regional flush) once every other day for 7 times. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold(PWT) and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL) were tested by Von Frey and hot stabbing instrument

separately. The pathological changes of the right knee joint were observed by HE staining. The serotonin(5-HT) contents of skin tissues in the region of acupoint GB34 and SP10 were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of substance P(SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) in GB34 and SP10 region skin tissues were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the blank group

the PWT and TWL of the rats in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.001)

while the contents of 5-HT and the expression levels of SP and CGRP in GB34 and SP10 region skin tissues were significantly increased(P<0.001

P<0.01). Following intervention and in comparison the with the model group

the TWL and PWT of rats in the three treatment groups were significantly increased(P<0.01)

the content of 5-HT and the expression levels of SP and CGRP in GB34 and SP10 region skin tissues were significantly decreased(P<0.01

P<0.001

P<0.05). Except for the expression levels of CGRP

the above indexes of the combination group were significantly superior to those of the moxibustion and scraping groups(P<0.05

P<0.01). Findings of HE staining showed severe damaged cartilage

few chondrocytes on the surface

with subchondral neovascularization in the model group

which was relatively milder in the moxibustion

scraping

and combination groups. Conclusion Moxibustion and scraping can relieve knee joint pain in KOA rats

which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression levels of SP and CGRP

and the content of 5-HT. The therapeutic effect of moxibustion plus scraping is better than that of moxibustion and scraping alone.