title: [Effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis rabbits].
abstract: 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: 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupotomy is effective in lowering serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels, and in improving OA rabbits' knee-joint motion range.
authors.affiliation: School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. qingguoliu@sohu.com
authors.forename: Qing-Guo
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Wei-Lan
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Gui-Gang
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Xiao-Xuan
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D026881:Acupuncture; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / Q000097:blood*; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3