Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (24): 4448-4452.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.24.019

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Effect of pilose antler polypeptides on chondrocytes proliferation in knee osteoarthritis

Xiu Zhong-biao1, Jiang Zhi-hao2, Sun Lei2   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, the Affiliated People’s Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou  350004, Fujian Province, China
    2Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou  350108, Fujian Province, China
  • Received:2011-02-07 Revised:2011-05-14 Online:2011-06-11 Published:2011-06-11
  • About author:Xiu Zhong-biao☆, Doctor, Chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, the Affiliated People’s Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China xzbdoctor@sina.com
  • Supported by:

    the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, No. C0740003*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies on chondrocytes culture in vitro confirm that pilose antler polypeptide (PAP) has mitogenic activity and can stimulate the proliferation of cartilage cells.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of PAP on related cytokines and chondrocytes proliferation in experimental osteoarthritis process.
METHODS: Totally 80 New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal group (n=4), sham operation group (n=4) and model group (n=72).Normal group was not given any treatment. Sham operation group was sutured after incising the medial aspect of the left knee. And model group was surgically induced into osteoarthritis models. After successful modeling, the rabbits of the model group were further divided into 2 groups: PAP group and normal saline control group, 32 rabbits in each group. PAP group received 0.5 mL intra-articular injection of PAP dilution liquid once daily for 30 days while normal saline control group received 0.5 mL intra-articular injection of physiological saline. On days 1,7,15 and 30 after intervention, articular cartilage samples and synovial fluid were collected respectively. The morphological changes of articular cartilage were observed under optical microscope and the structural change of chondrocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1 ) in synovial fluid were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of PCNA were detected by the method of immunohistochemistry and the cell proliferation index was analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the same period, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in synovia fluid of PAP group were lower than those of normal saline control group, but the level of TGF-β1 was higher in the former group, which were statistically significant   (P < 0.05). The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in artcular cartilage of PAP group was more than that of normal saline control group and the cell proliferation index was significantly higher, which had statistical difference. These results suggest that PAP can decrease the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, increase the levels of TGF-β1 in synovial fluid and promote the proliferation of chondrocytes in experimental osteoarthritis process.

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