Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2012, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (2): 261-264.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.02.016

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Effects of “Shuanggu Yitong” warming acupuncture on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Baxproteins in the cartilage of knee osteoarthritis rabbits

Xiong Yong, Peng Rui, Wang Hua   

  1. College ofAcupuncturemoxibustionandOrthopedics, HubeiUniversity of ChineseTraditional Medicine,Wuhan 430061,Hubei Province,China
  • Received:2011-07-10 Revised:2011-09-26 Online:2012-01-08 Published:2012-01-08
  • Contact: Wang Hua,Professor, Doctoralsupervisor, College ofAcupuncturemoxibustionandOrthopedics, HubeiUniversity of ChineseTraditional Medicine,Wuhan 430061,Hubei Province,China Hwang.tcm@china.com
  • About author: Xiong Yong☆,Doctor, Lecturer,College ofAcupuncturemoxibustionandOrthopedics, HubeiUniversity of ChineseTraditional Medicine,Wuhan 430061,Hubei Province,China xiongyong1978@163.com
  • Supported by:

    HubeiProvincial ScientificResearch Foundationof Chinese TraditionalMedicine for theCombination ofChinese Traditionaland WesternMedicine, No.2008Z-Z01*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis of chondrocyte plays an vital role in the initiation and development of osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of “Shuanggu Yitong” (double-reinforcing and one-unblocking) warming acupuncture on theexpressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in cartilage of knee osteoarthritis rabbits.
METHODS: Knee osteoarthritis model was established by the ligation of femoral vein. Animals were treated with “ShuangguYitong” warming acupuncture applied on Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Dubi (ST 35) and Yanglingquan(GB 34) after model establishment. Needle was retained for 20 minutes on each acupoint daily for 8 weeks.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Rabbit apoptosis index of chondrocyte was significantly increased after knee osteoarthritis(P < 0.01). Apoptosis index of chondrocyte was reduced by “Shuanggu Yitong” warming acupuncture. According toimmunohistochemical staining, the expression of Bcl-2 in articular cartilage was significantly increased in the “Shuanggu Yitong”warming acupuncture group and model group (P < 0.05). While the Bax expression in articular cartilage of “Shuanggu Yitong”warming acupuncture group and control group was significantly lower than that of model group (P < 0.05). The expression ofBcl-2 and Bax of “Shuanggu Yitong” warming acupuncture group and model group was higher than that of the model group andcontrol group (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that “Shuanggu Yitong” warming acupuncture can up-regulate theexpression of Bcl-2 protein as well as down-regulate expression of Bax protein, thereby inhibit the apoptosis of cartilage cells,which may prevent and cure knee osteoarthritis in rabbits.

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