针灸对骨关节炎软骨损伤的作用及机制研究进展

Progress of researches on acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of cartilage damage of osteoarthritis

软骨损伤是骨关节炎(OA)进行性发展的关键病理机制。减缓软骨损伤,加速软骨修复是治疗OA的有效策略。针灸广泛用于OA的治疗,具有软骨保护作用。本文从软骨细胞稳态、细胞外基质代谢以及OA微环境3个方面,就针灸抑制软骨损伤的机制进行综述,并提出线粒体内源性途径及外泌体工程作为针灸治疗OA的研究方向,可为后续研究提供参考。

Cartilage damage is the key pathological mechanism in the progressive development of osteoarthritis(OA). Slowing down cartilage damage and accelerating cartilage repair are strategies for effective treatment of OA. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapies are widely used in relieving symptoms of OA and have a protective effect on cartilage. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion underlying relieving cartilage damage from three aspects: 1) promoting chondrocyte homeostasis by inhibiting apoptosis and improving cellular autophagy, 2) regulating extracellular matrix(ECM) metabolism(inhibiting decomposition and promoting synthesis) by suppressing the release of inflammatory factors and the activity of proteolytic enzymes, and 3) improving OA microenvironment by reducing the number of macrophagocyte 1(M1) and increasing the ratio of M2/M1 in the local inflammatory locus. In addition, most studies on the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion underlying remission of OA focus on the improvement of pathological changes, such as joint histopathology, cartilage morphology, synovial inflammatory reaction and infiltration, subchondral bone remodeling, etc., thus, the exact functions of acupuncture and moxibustion in ameliorating cartilage injury remain unknown. In view of the important role of mitochondrial dysfunction in promoting OA development and cartilage damage and the current use of tissue engineering methods of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells to repair articular cartilage injury, it is highly recommended that future studies should pay more attention to these aspects.