牛膝总皂苷对骨关节炎模型兔软骨修复及低氧诱导因子1信号通路的影响.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary study has shown that Achyranthes bidentata can promote articular cartilage repair in rabbit model of osteoarthritis and Achyranthes bidentata saponins-containing serum can contribute to chondrocyte proliferation in vitro. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of Achyranthes bidentata saponins on the repair of cartilage and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis. METHODS: Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were provided by the Guangdong Provincial Laboratory Animal Center, and the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Guangdong University of Chinese Medicine, approval number: 2018023. The rabbits were used for establishing the osteoarthritis model, and 30 rabbit models were randomized into three groups (n=10/group), followed by given Achyranthes bidentata saponins, glucosamine sulfate and distilled water (blank control group) via gavage, respectively, for 30 days. The cartilage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, assessed by modified Mankin’s score and electron microscope. The mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagen type II in cartilage tissue were detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The hematoxylin-eosin staining results and modified Mankin’s score were significantly improved in the Ayranthes bidentata saponins group compared with the glucosamine sulfate and blank control groups 30 days after treatment (P < 0.05), and electron microscope showed that the chondrocyte activity was increased. (2) Compared with the glucosamine sulfate and blank control groups, the mRNA expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly down-regulated, and the mRNA expression level of collagen type II was significantly up-regulated in the Ayranthes bidentata saponins group (P < 0.05). (3) To conclude, Ayranthes bidentata saponins can effectively improve the cell vitality, promote chondrocyte proliferation, down-regulate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and up-regulate the expression of collagen type mRNA, suggesting that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in cartilage repair of rabbit model of osteoarthritis by Ayranthes bidentata saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]