目的:研究针刀对膝骨关节炎兔模型血清中基质金属蛋白酶MMP-3和MMP-13远期含量变化的影响,探讨针刀治疗膝骨关节炎的作用机制。方法:将48只健康清洁6月龄新西兰兔按随机数字表法随机分为4组,每组各12只,4组分别为空白组、模型组、电针组和针刀组。空白组不参加造模,其余3组用左后肢伸直位固定制动法造成实验性膝骨关节炎的家兔模型。模型组不进行干预,电针组每周干预3次,针刀组每周干预治疗1次,两组均干预3周。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测模型兔血清中MMP-3和MMP-13的浓度。结果:模型组MMP-3、MMP-13含量明显增加,与其它组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刀组中MMP-3、MMP-13含量降低,与模型组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:针刀疗法能够降低膝骨关节炎模型兔血清中MMP-3和MMP-13的浓度,因此可能抑制关节软骨的破坏,控制软骨的退行性改变,达到改善膝骨关节炎的症状、治疗KOA的作用。 Objective: To study the effect of acupotome on the changes of the long-term contents of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in sera of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis and to explore the mechanism of acupotome treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 48 healthy and clean New Zealand rabbits aged 6 months were randomly divided into 4 groups according to random number table method, 12 in each group. The 4 groups were blank group, model group, electroacupuncture group and acupotome respectively. The blank group did not participate in modeling, and the remaining three groups of rabbits with experimental knee osteoarthritis caused by fixed immobilization of left hind limbs. The model group did not intervene, the electroacupuncture group intervened three times a week, and the acupotome group intervened once a week. Both groups intervened for three weeks. Serum levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in the model group increased significantly compared with the other groups (P <0.05), and the levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in the acupotome group were lower than those in the model group There was statistical significance (P <0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment can reduce the serum concentration of MMP-3 and MMP-13 in rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis, so it may inhibit the destruction of articular cartilage and control the degenerative changes of cartilage to improve the symptoms and treatment of knee osteoarthritis KOA’s role.