ArticlePloS one2019
The effects of laser acupuncture on the modulation of cartilage extracellular matrix macromolecules in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.
Article in PloS one, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 28 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparison of therapeutic effects of 940 nm diode laser acupuncture with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome: a comparative randomized clinical trial.Lasers in medical science · 2023Trial
- Combination of Bauhinia monandra extract and laser acupuncture reduces carrageenan-induced paw edema.Lasers in medical science · 2026Article
- Acupuncture-Mediated Neuro-Immune Regulation in Musculoskeletal Pain: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives.Journal of pain research · 2026Review
- Laser Acupuncture Effects on Chronic Pain, Inflammatory Response, and Biochemical and Oxidative Stress Markers in Osteoarthritic Dogs: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025Article
- Low level laser therapy and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis study.European journal of translational myology · 2024Article
- Quantitative proteomic analysis of Bi Zhong Xiao decoction against collagen-induced arthritis rats in the early and late stages.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2022Article
- The role of macrophage polarization and associated mechanisms in regulating the anti-inflammatory action of acupuncture: a literature review and perspectives.Chinese medicine · 2021Review
- The Application of Laser Acupuncture in Animal Experiments: A Narrative Review of Biological Aspects.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2021Review
- Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis With Acupuncture, Turmeric (Journal of chiropractic medicine · 2020Article
- A green, efficient and precise hydrogen therapy of cancer based onNational science review · 2020Article
- Efficacy of Acupoints Dual-Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesArticular cartilage damage related to irreversible physical disability affects most patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Strategies targeting the preservation of cartilage function are needed. Laser acupuncture (LA) can be an emerging alternative therapy for RA; however, its molecular mechanism underlying the beneficial effect on cartilage has not been elucidated. This study aimed to examine the potential chondroprotective effects of LA on extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules and proinflammatory cytokines in the articular cartilage of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats and explore its related mechanisms.
designMonoarthritis was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) via intraarticular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the tibiotarsal joint. Animals were treated with LA at BL60 and KI3 acupoints three days after CFA administration with a 780 nm GaAlAs laser at 15 J/cm2 daily for ten days. The main outcome measures including paw circumference, paw withdrawal threshold, histopathology and immunoassays of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), collagen type II (CoII), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were analyzed.
resultsLA significantly reduced ankle edema and inflammation-induced hyperalgesia in AIA rats (P < 0.05). Moreover, the TNF-α levels were significantly decreased while CoII, COMP and proteoglycans proteins were significantly enhanced following LA stimulation of the AIA cartilage compared to those treated with sham-LA (P < 0.05).
conclusionsLA attenuates cartilage degradation in AIA rat by suppressing TNF-α activation and up-regulating ECM macromolecules, suggesting LA might be of potential clinical interest in RA treatment.
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