Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2025, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (3): 236-241.doi: 10.11958/20240418

• Experimental Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Clinical effects of moxibustion regulating the different phenotypic polarization of macrophages on the treatment of RA synovitis

ZHONG Yumei1(), HE Liu1, ZHANG Min1, ZHOU Haiyan2,()   

  1. 1 Department of Pain, Chengdu First People’s Hospital / Chengdu Integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610041, China
    2 College of Acupuncture and Massage, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Received:2024-04-07 Revised:2024-05-21 Published:2025-03-15 Online:2025-03-31
  • Contact: E-mail:zhouhaiyan@cdtcm.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of moxibustion on different phenotypic expression of macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into the blank group, the model group and the moxibustion group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were injected with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into right foot pad to prepare RA model. The moxibustion group received moxibustion treatment. The blank group was injected with the same amount of normal saline. The thickness of foot pad was measure and arthritis index score was performed. Pathological changes of joints were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining (HE), and the expressions of CD80, CD163 and SPP1 in macrophages of synovial tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. Results Compared with the blank group, arthritis index score and thickness of foot pad were increased in the model group and the moxibustion group (P<0.05). After moxibustion treatment, compared with the model group, the score of arthritis index and thickness of foot pad were decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). HE staining showed joint space narrowing, subchondral bone destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group. The degree of joint space narrowing, subchondral bone destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration were less in the moxibustion group than those in the model group. Compared with the blank group, the scores of synovial tissue hyperplasia, synovial fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, scores of synovial tissue hyperplasia, fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). Results of immunofluorescence detection showed that compared with the blank group, the expressions of CD80 and SPP1 in synovial tissue were up-regulated in the model group, while the expression of CD163 was down-regulated. Compared with the model group, the expressions of CD80 and SPP1 were down-regulated, and the expression of CD163 was up-regulated in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion can regulate the expression of different phenotypes of macrophages and reduce synovial inflammation of RA. The mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of different phenotypes of macrophages.

Key words: arthritis, rheumatoid, macrophages, immunophenotyping, synovitis, moxibustion

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