MMP3 and rheumatoid arthritis: Therefore, in this study, we from the perspective that “moxibustion regulates VEGF and inhibits the formation of synovial pannus by affecting the serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3, thus alleviating synovial inflammation and articular cartilage destruction in RA patients” observe the effect of moxibustion on the contents of MMP-1, MMP-3, and VEGF and explore the response of moxibustion to synovial inflammation as well as its potential bone protective effect in the treatment of RA.