The application of high-throughput sequencing technology in corneal diseases.

High-throughput sequencing technology, also known as next-generation sequencing technology, can explore new biomarkers and specific gene mutations. It has a pivotal role in promoting the gene research, which can limit the detection area, lessen the time needed for sequencing. Also, it can quickly screen out the suspected pathogenic genes of patients, gain the necessary genetic data, and provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling. In the research of corneal diseases, through the DNA sequencing of patients' diseased cells, it can provide a deeper understanding of corneal diseases and improve the diagnosis, classification and treatment alternatives of various corneal diseases. This article will introduce the application progress of high-throughput sequencing technology in corneal diseases, which will help to understand the application of this technology in various corneal diseases.

The Sequence Characteristics and Expression Models Reveal Superoxide Dismutase Involved in Cold Response and Fruiting Body Development in Volvariella volvacea.

As the first defence for cells to counteract the toxicity of active oxygen, superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in the response of living organisms to stress and cell differentiation. One extracellular Cu-ZnSOD (ecCu-ZnSOD), and two MnSODs, were identified based on the Volvariella volvacea genome sequence. All three genes have complicated alternative splicing modes during transcription; only when the fourth intron is retained can the Vv_Cu-Znsod1 gene be translated into a protein sequence with SOD functional domains. The expression levels of the three sod genes in the pilei are higher than in the stipe. The Vv_Cu-Znsod1 and the Vv_Mnsod2 are co-expressed in different developmental stages of the fruiting body, with the highest level of expression in the pilei of the egg stage, and they show a significant, positive correlation with the efficiency of karyogamy, indicating the potential role of these two genes during karyogamy. The expression of the ecCu-Znsod and two Vv_Mnsod genes showed a significant up-regulated when treated by cold stress for one hour; however, the lack of the intracellular Cu-ZnSOD encoding gene (icCu-Znsod) and the special locus of the ecCu-Znsod gene initiation codon suggested a possible reason for the autolysis phenomenon of V. volvacea in cold conditions.

[Analysis and evaluation of resourceful chemical compositions in different parts of Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruit and its seed oil].

The study aims of this study is to analyze and evaluate the resourceful chemical compositions in different parts of mature fruit of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of this medicinal plant resources. GC-MS method was used to analyze the volatile oils and the fatty acids, and HPLC method was used to determine the flavonoids and phenolic acids in the pericarp, seed and seed oil of Z.bungeanum. There were 26, 19 and 11 kinds of volatile components detected in the pericarp, seed and seed oil, respectively, in which terpenoids and their oxy-derivatives were the main components, and the contents of linalool and its esters in pericarp were relatively high. The contents of total fatty acids in the pericarp, seed and seed oil were 108.42, 331.63, 966.04 mg•g⁻¹, respectively.Oleic acid, linoleic acid andα-linolenic acid were abundantin all samples. The pericarp contains relatively high content of flavonoids, such as hyperoside, quercitrin, rutin, isoquercitrin, while the above components were not detected in the seed and seed oil. These results confirmed that the fruit of Z.bungeanum contains high contents of the resourceful chemical compositions, and their composition and contents were differed among organs, which provide a scientific basis for the utilization of Z.bungeanumfruit.

[Adding acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints: preliminary assumption].

To deepen the understanding of the acupoint indications, clarify the targeting of acupoints, and provide a basis for the composition of acupuncture prescriptions, it is suggested to add acupoint identification into the textbook Meridians and Acupoints, and a preliminary assumption that relevant acupoints can be identified by taking the indications, locations, and meridians as the key points is proposed. In this paper, acupoints for treating stomach disease, acupoints of eye region, and five-shu points of lung meridian are taken as examples, combined with ancient literature and modern scientific research achievements, the main indications of acupoint is identified, which is of great significance to the discipline's development, talent training, and achievement transformation.

[Innovation and basic frame conception of modern acupuncture and moxibustion discipline theory system].

Through reviewing the construction status of the basic theory of acupuncture and moxibustion discipline from the ancient to modern eras, it is believed that the structure of acupuncture and moxibustion discipline has been formed, but nowadays, the theoretical system of acupuncture and moxibustion is still on the framework of classical meridian theory, and the treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion is in reference with the mode of syndrome/pattern difference of Chinese herbal medicines. Parts of these remain ambiguity. It is proposed that the innovation of acupuncture and moxibustion discipline should focus on anatomical physiology, psychology and other multi-disciplines; and the basic framework should compose of the theoretic systems of three major disciplines, i.e. Meridians and Acupoints, Technology of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, and Treatment of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Under the premise of multidisciplinary intersection, many updated scientific research achievements should be integrated in future to boost the constant development of acupuncture and moxibustion discipline.

[Analysis on rules of acupoint compatibility and application characteristics in acupuncture treatment of migraine based on complex network technique].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the compatible rules of acupoints in the treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxibustion based on complex network technique so as to provide a reference for composing best acupoint recipes. METHODS: Clinical papers about acupuncture treatment of migraine published from January of 2010 to October of 2020 were searched from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Pubmed by using keywords of acupuncture, moxibustion and migraine. According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected papers were screened out to set up a database. The SPSS Modeler 18.0 software was used to analyze the association rules of acupoints, and the Gephi 0.9.2 software was used to conduct a complex network analysis about the compatibility rules of acupoints and their application characteristics of moxibustion and needling methods in the treatment of migraine. RESULTS: In the end, 572 articles meeting the conclusive criteria were selected, and a total of 1 091 acupoint prescriptions for the treatment of migraine were extracted, including 230 acupoints with a total appea-rance frequency of 7 902. Those acupoints most frequently used were mainly attributed to the Gallbladder Meridian, with Fengchi (GB20) being the highest in the cumulative frequency. The association rule analysis showed that the highest supporting degree acupoints was GB20-Taiyang(EX-HN5). The highest levels of confidence were EX-HN5-Touwei(ST8), GB20-Baihui(GV20), and GB20-ST8. The analysis of complex network topology showed that a total of 17 acupoints including GB20, EX-HN5, Shuaigu(GB8), Taichong(LR3), GV20, Ashi point, etc. were the core node acupoints for acupuncture treatment of migraine. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of migraine, the acupoints selected are mainly distributed in the head region. When the specific acupoints chosen, the five Shu acupoints, Yuan (source) acupoints and the confluent acupoints of eight meridians are frequently used. In terms of composing acupoint recipes, the acupoints in the local and distant part of the body are often used in combination. These outcomes may have a certain guiding significance for clinical treatment of migraine.

Targeted up-regulation of Drp1 in dorsal horn attenuates neuropathic pain hypersensitivity by increasing mitochondrial fission.

Mitochondria play an essential role in pathophysiology of both inflammatory and neuropathic pain (NP), but the mechanisms are not yet clear. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is broadly expressed in the central nervous system and plays a role in the induction of mitochondrial fission process. Spared nerve injury (SNI), due to the dysfunction of the neurons within the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), is the most common NP model. We explored the neuroprotective role of Drp1 within SDH in SNI. SNI mice showed pain behavior and anxiety-like behavior, which was associated with elevation of Drp1, as well as increased density of mitochondria in SDH. Ultrastructural analysis showed SNI induced damaged mitochondria into smaller perimeter and area, tending to be circular. Characteristics of vacuole in the mitochondria further showed SNI induced the increased number of vacuole, widened vac-perimeter and vac-area. Stable overexpression of Drp1 via AAV under the control of the Drp1 promoter by intraspinal injection (Drp1 OE) attenuated abnormal gait and alleviated pain hypersensitivity of SNI mice. Mitochondrial ultrastructure analysis showed that the increased density of mitochondria induced by SNI was recovered by Drp1 OE which, however, did not change mitochondrial morphology and vacuole parameters within SDH. Contrary to Drp1 OE, down-regulation of Drp1 in the SDH by AAV-Drp1 shRNA (Drp1 RNAi) did not alter painful behavior induced by SNI. Ultrastructural analysis showed the treatment by combination of SNI and Drp1 RNAi (SNI + Drp1 RNAi) amplified the damages of mitochondria with the decreased distribution density, increased perimeter and area, as well as larger circularity tending to be more circular. Vacuole data showed SNI + Drp1 RNAi increased vacuole density, perimeter and area within the SDH mitochondria. Our results illustrate that mitochondria within the SDH are sensitive to NP, and targeted mitochondrial Drp1 overexpression attenuates pain hypersensitivity. Drp1 offers a novel therapeutic target for pain treatment.

[Master DOU Han-qing's academic achievements in acupuncture and moxibustion].

Master DOU Han-qing is one famous acupuncturist in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties of China. In consideration of his newly neatened works DOU Taishi Zhenjing (Master DOU's Canon of Acupuncture,《》), Zhenjiu Jicheng (Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,《》) and Panshijin Zhici Michuan (Panshijin Secretly Bequeathed Techniques of Straight Needling,《》) which were not paid enough attention in the past, we make a systematic and comprehensive summary about his academic achievements in the present paper. There are six main aspects about Dou's academic achievements: blending the essence of sages' acupuncture theories and clinical experience, correcting predecessors' mistakes; innovating the needlingmethods; expanding the clinical applications of acupoints and paying attention to combination of meridian acupoints and extra-points in clinical practice; inheriting and developing acupuncture prescriptions in the Song Dynasty, creating new diagnostic and treatment modes; initiating needling techniques of various schools in the Ming Dynasty; and describing the contents of acupuncture and moxibustion in the form of odes. Moreover, we also put forward some of our enlightenments and considerations about DOU Han-qing's academic achievements.

[Pioneering a great undertaking, glorifying acupuncture worldwide: brief on WANG Xue-tai's academic thought].

WANG Xue-tai is a famous scholar of acupuncture-moxibustion of TCM, one of the founders of Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibusiton, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, the director of the second-term leadership of Institute, as well as the representative inheritor of "acupuncture" in the national intangible cultural heritage project. The academic and administrative achievement of professor WANG Xue-tai has been systematically reviewed in this paper. His academic thought and contributions are summarized as: clarifying the source of acupuncture-moxibustion development and laying the foundation of academic history research of acupuncture-moxibustion; emphasizing moxibustion techniques and promoting new acupuncture techniques; maintaining the characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion to improve clinical therapeutic effect; advocating the standardization of acupuncture-moxibustion to promote its internationalization; and insisting on inheritance and innovation to enhance the modernization of acupuncture-moxibusiton of TCM.

[Question and thinking on study of acupuncture-moxibustion academic school].

The concepts of acupuncture-moxibustion "academic school" "school of thought" and "school" are differentiated. It is believed that "academic school" is the general term of "school of thought" and "school". This paper puts forward a solution to the confusion of related concepts, disunity of formation conditions, disunity of divisionmethods and disunity of nomenclature. It is proposed that a great concentration should be put on the arrangement of acupuncture-moxibustion academic school and the regulation on related issues. Because of the complexity and diversity of the form and content of acupuncture-moxibustion schools, the division of them should not be so specified and the unification of related issues should not be so strictly required.

[Study on characteristics and regularity of acupuncture prescription by DOU Han-qing].

Summarized the characteristics and rules of DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescription in ancient acupuncture and moxibustion literature, and provided reference for studying DOU Han-qing's academic thought and modern acupuncture clinic. The literature of DOU 's acupuncture prescription was collected, sorted out and input, the database of DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescription was established, the frequency of acupoints in the prescription was analyzed, and the Apriori algorithm was used to analyze the rule of acupoints in the prescription. A total of 446 DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescriptions are included, and the maximum number of acupoints in acupuncture prescriptions is 12. The most common diseases are internal medicine syndrome, pain syndrome of head, face and body and five sense organs disease. In all the prescriptions of DOU Han-qing, 205 acupoints are used in total, including 25 extra-meridian points. There are 7 groups of acupoint pairs with the strongest correlation in DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescription, including Hegu (LI 4) - Zusanli (ST 36), Zusanli (ST 36) - Zhongwan (CV 12), Hegu (LI 4) - Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4)-Weizhong (BL 40), Quchi (LI 11) - Jianjing(GB 21), Weizhong (BL 40) - Quchi (LI 11) and Weizhong (BL 40)-Zusanli (ST 36). The principle of acupoint selection mainly includes near acupoint selection and far acupoint selection. In the method of matching acupoints, above and below the matching acupoints, this meridian matching acupoints and inner and outer meridian matching acupoints are used. DOU pays attention to the coordination of acupuncture and moxibustion methods with acupoints and emphasizes acupuncture sequence.

[Characteristics of clinical application of electroacupuncture therapy for peripheral neuropathy based on data mining].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application characteristics of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, so as to provide a basis for clinical use of EA therapy. METHODS: Keywords of "electroacupuncture""peripheral neuropathy" "facial paralysis" "trigeminal neuralgia" "sciatica" "common peroneal nerve injury" "diabetic peripheral neuropathy" "intercostal neuralgia" "gluteal epithelial neuritis" "ulnar nerve injury" "median nerve paralysis" "postherpetic neuralgia", and "great occipital neuralgia" were used to search articles in both English and Chinese published from 1999 to 2019 in databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, Ovid, PubMed and Embase and related books such as electroacupuncture, and neurology, followed by establishing a database of "Electroacupuncture Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy". Then, the collected articles were put into statistical analysis after sorting, screening, input, checking, and data extracting by using data mining technology and statistical software EpiData. RESULTS: Of the searched 1 528 papers, 778 were eligible, involving 13 types of peripheral neuropathy which the facial paralysis and facial spasm were most frequently seen, followed by trigeminal neuralgia and sciatica, with an effective rate being above 90% for nearly all the 13 diseases. The acupoints employed were chiefly those close to the affected area and distribute along the nerve trunk.In addition, about the needling techniques, the penetration needling was frequently used, and the triple needling, quintuple needling and accompanied needling were also used. Regarding the related needle manipulations, the uniform reinforcing-reduction technique was most frequently used. The duration of EA was 30 min, with a highest stimulating frequency of 50 Hz. The acupoint injection was frequently supplemented, followed by moxibustion, and the treatment sessions were usually about 30 times. CONCLUSION: EA therapy is frequently used in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, and has some characteristics in acupoint selection, stimulating parameters and some additional needling techniques.

[Comparison and analysis on different academic schools of scalp acupuncture].

The scalp acupuncture therapy, an important component of the microneedle system of the acupuncturology, is effective in the treatment of multiple types of diseases. In the present paper, we made a comparative analysis about the theoretical basis, acupoint location and main clinical indications of the ten academic schools of scalp-acupuncture, including FANG Yun-peng's Scalp Acupuncture, JIAO Shun-fa's Scalp Acupuncture, ZHU Ming-qing's Scalp Acupuncture, etc. which are widely used in clinic at present after collecting the related articles published in recent 60 years from databases of CNKI, Wanfang and VIP, and relevant books. These nine academic schools are similar in clinical indications (such as neurological disorders, brain-derived di-seases) and in needle inserting angle and depth, and different in the needling manipulations, needlingmethods, needle retaining time, theoretical basis, attending diseases of the same one stimulated region, and the position and yin or yang of holograms. The main problems facing the scalp acupuncture are non-uniform positioning method, non-uniform needling method, and non-uniform indications of the same scalp acupoint. Up to now, it remains unclear that which academic school is better in the therapeutic efficacy, thus, we should strengthen clinical research to find out its inherent law in diagnosis and treatment, constantly optimize the needle scheme, determine the best scalp-acupoint position and best needling manipulations, quantize and standardize the related issues, and accelerate the integration of the different academic schools, so as to improve clinical curative effect and to further promote the application and popularization, serving the patients in a better way.

[Regularities of acupoint combinations and characteristics of core acupoint application for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia based on complex network analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the acupoint combination regularities and application characteristics of core acupoints in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) by using complex network technology, so as to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection of acupoints and treatment ideas. METHODS: The articles related to acupuncture treatment of MGH published from January of 1981 to May of 2020 were collected from databases as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP (VIP), PubMed, the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and Ovid database (OVID) according to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present paper and by using keywords of "mammary gland hyperplasia", "mastalgia" or "fibrocystic breast change", "breast cystic hyperplasia ", etc. plus "acupuncture", "moxibustion", etc. Then, a correlative database model was established by using SPSS Modeler 18.0 to analyze their association regularities, followed by conducting a complex network analysis with Gephi 0.9.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 312 eligible articles containing 343 acupoint prescriptions and 113 acupoints were collected. The total frequency of use of the 113 acupoints was 1 998. The association regularity analysis showed a top relativity between Danzhong(CV17) and Zusanli(ST36). The analysis of the complex network topology revealed that CV17, Qimen(LR14), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Taichong(LR3), ST36, Jianjing(GB21), Rugen(ST18), Wuyi(ST15), Neiguan(PC6), Ashi-points, Fenglong (SP40), Guanyuan(CV4), Taixi(KI3), Tianzong(SI11), Ganshu (BL18), and Hegu(LI14) are the core acupoints for treatment of MGH. The principle for composing acupoint prescriptions is mainly the combination of acupoints on the left and right sides, the upper and lower parts, front and back parts of the body, respectively, and those of the outer and inner meridians, and those of the same name meridians and Zangfu-organ syndrome differentiation. The needle-insertion direction is mostly toward the focus. CONCLUSION: The composition of acupoint prescriptions for treating MGH with acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly based on the combination of specific acupoints among which the confluent acupoints are most frequently used, followed by the combination of acupoints distributing at the chest, back, upper and lower limbs, and the local acupoints.

[Revelation and reflection of overseas acupuncture to acupuncture in China].

The development and innovation of overseas acupuncture was expounded from four aspects: meridian diagnosis and physical examination, activity of acupoint, acupuncture and moxibustion method and acupuncture level, enrichment and improvement of TCM theory and technology, and it was summarized what can be learned of principles, methods, prescriptions, acupoints and technology. On the basis of inheriting the experience of ancient acupuncture and moxibustion, the advanced experience and theory at home and abroad should be accommodated , which is helpful to better perfect and reconstruct the theoretical system of acupuncture and moxibustion, and realize the sustainable development of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Pharmacokinetics after Periocular Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Injection in Rabbit Eyes.

The present study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetics and distribution of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) and its metabolic product methylprednisolone (MP) in plasma and ocular tissues after periocular injection of MPSS in rabbit eyes. Forty-eight healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 12 groups, including the control group and 11 MPSS-treated groups sampling at different time points. Rabbits in the MPSS-treated groups underwent left eye periocular injection of MPSS (10 mg). The pharmacokinetics of MPSS and MP in plasma and ocular tissues (including aqueous humor, vitreous, iris, lens, sclera, optic nerve, and choroid and retina) were investigated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After periocular injection, the time of maximum concentration (T max) of MPSS ranged from 0.25 h to 1 h in ocular tissues and was 0.25 h in plasma. T max of MP in ocular tissues ranged from 0.5 h to 6 h, and T max of MP in plasma was 0.5 h. The maximum concentration (C max) of MPSS and MP and the area under the curve (AUC0-t ) in ocular tissues from high to low was sclera, optic nerve, choroid and retina, iris, and lens. Especially, the concentrations of MPSS and MP in the lens were much lower when compared with the other ocular tissues. After periocular administration, MPSS could be rapidly metabolized to its active constituent MP in the ocular tissues. Also, the MPSS can be delivered effectively into the posterior segment of the eye (choroid and retina), while not easily be absorbed by the lens.

[Comparison of different schools of hand acupuncture therapies].

The historical origin of hand acupuncture therapies were collected. The positioning method, acupuncture manipulation and dominant diseases, etc. were compared among 8 kinds of extensively used hand acupuncture schools, such as traditional hand acupuncture, Korean finger needle and Fang's hand image needle. It is found that the positioning method and needling method are not unified and the dominant diseases not specified. In the future study, the regimen of hand acupuncture should be optimized, the optimal holographic image, acupuncture manipulation and quantitative standards should be developed and the integration among schools should be promoted so that the relevant specifications can be formulated, national standards be developed and the application and development of hand acupuncture therapy be promoted.

[Comparison and analysis of different schools of Chinese auricular acupuncture].

Based on the literature regarding auricular acupuncture in recent 60 years, the theoretical basis, acupuncturemethods and dominant diseases are analyzed and compared, and three major auricular acupuncture schools are proposed. The first school is the sinicized auricular acupuncture school derived from French Nogier auricular acupuncture school, which can be further divided into three branches: Huang's auricular acupuncture school, Guan's auricular acupuncture school and Chen-Xu's auricular acupuncture school. The second school is Xuanyuan auricular acupuncture school inherited and developed from classical Chinese auricular acupuncture. The third school is Yuchi 's auricular acupuncture school which is based on Chinese and western medical theories but different from the embryo inversion theory of Nogier auricular acupuncture school. Furthermore, the similarities and differences of the theoretical sources, the distribution characteristics of auricular points and the clinical application characteristics of different auricular acupuncture schools are analyzed, so as to provide useful reference for the clinical application, basic research and national standards of auricular acupuncture in the future.

[Comparision of therapertic effect of different acupuncture methods for knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of eight-four patients with KOA were randomly and equally divided into acupuncture group, EA group and moxibustion group. Neixiyan (EX-LE40), Dubi (ST35), Heding (EX-LE2), Liangqiu (ST34), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36) and Ashi-point on the affected side of the body were punctured with filiform needles or EA (2 Hz/100 Hz) for 30 min. In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied to the surrounding area of the affected joint for 60 min. The treatment was conducted once every other day for 4 weeks. The pain degree was assessed by using numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale (0－240 points) was used to evaluate the severity of KOA. The "Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII)" was used to assess the therapeutic effect after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the scores of NRS, and the pain, stiffness, motor function and total scores of WOMAC were significantly decreased in the three groups compared with their own pre-treatment (P<0.05), and were obviously lower in the EA and moxibustion groups than in the acupuncture group (P<0.05), and those of the moxibustion group was notably lower than those of the acupuncture group (P<0.05). Of the 28 cases in the acupuncture, EA and moxibustion groups, 11, 17 and 22 were effective, with the effective rate being 39.29%, 60.71% and 78.57%, respectively. The comprehensive therapeutic effect of the moxibustion group was significantly superior to that of the acupuncture and EA groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: All the three different kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion methods have positively regulatory effect on KOA, and moxibustion is the best for reducing the joint pain and stiffness, and improving the motor function.

[Effect of moxibustion on inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between moxibustion and acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to observe the effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with KOA were randomized into a moxibustion group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and an acupuncture group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the aucpuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Heding (EX-LE 2), Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36) and ashi point on the affected side for 30 min.In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was adopted at knee for 60 min. The treatment was given once every two days for 4 weeks, totally 14 times. Before and after treatment, the western ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score was compared, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated in the two groups. The contents of serum TNF-αand IL-1ß, the activity of serum SOD and the serum level of MDA were detected in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the WOMAC scores and the contents of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß and MDA after treatment were reduced (P<0.05), the activity of serum SOD was increased (P<0.05) in the two groups. In the moxibustion group, the WOMAC score and the contents of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß and MDA after treatment were lower than the acupuncture group (P<0.05), the activity of serum SOD was higher than the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 89.3% (25/28) in the moxibustion group, which was superior to 42.9% (12/28) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion and acupuncture can relieve KOA symptoms, and the therapeutic effect of moxibustion is superior to acupuncture. The mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factor and oxidative stress factor.