[Effect of electroacupuncture on the level of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in patients with osteoarthritis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on patients with osteoarthritis, and to observe the effect of electroacupuncture on the level of IL-1beta and TNFalpha.


METHODS
Forty-three subjects received electroacupuncture treatment at Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9), etc. The intensity of pain, the ability of the movement of legs, the level of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in patients were measured before and after treatment.


RESULTS
According to VAS, the intensity of pain was (64.22 +/- 14.55) and (32.50 +/- 10.79) before and after treatment, respectively. The score of movement ability of affected legs was (7.38 +/- 2.01) and (9.05 +/- 1.89) before and after treatment, respectively. Thus, the intensity of pain and the ability of movement were significantly improved after treatment (P < 0.01). The level of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in patients were significantly decreased (both P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The short term therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on patients with osteoarthritis is better, it may result from that the electroacupuncture inhibit the activity of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha.
Xu
Fang-Yuan
FY
Department of Rehabilitation, Luzhou Medical College Affiliated Hospital, Luzhou 646000, China. x5144@sina.com
Gan
Jin-Hua
JH
Li
Wei-Ping
WP
Yang
Min
M
Liu
Xi
X
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha