Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Former study indicates that Tougu Xiaotong capsule is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis; it has a protective effect on knee articular cartilage. Subchondral bone remodeling is important in the pathology process of knee osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsule on subchondral bone remodeling in osteoarthritis and to investigate the mechanism.
METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups: normal group, model group, Zhuanggu Guanjie pill group and Tougu Xiaotong capsule group. Model construction was performed using modified Hulth method in rabbits except for the normal group. Rabbits in the normal group and model group were administrated with normal saline daily by gavage. Rabbits in the Zhuanggu Guanjie pill group were administrated with the water solution of Zhuanggu Guanjie pill by gavage daily. Rabbits in Tougu Xiaotong capsule group were administrated the water solution of Tougu Xiaotong capsule by gavage daily.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expression of Cyclin D1 gene, insulin-like growth factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand mRNA in the subchondral bone of the Tougu Xiaotong capsule group was significantly higher than that of the normal group in 6, 9 and 12 weeks after mo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   del construction (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of Cyclin D1 in the Tougu Xiaotong capsule group was lower in 1 week after model construction (P < 0.05); the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand was lower in 6 week after model construction (P < 0.05); the expression of indicators in the Tougu Xiaotong capsule group was relatively lower in 9 and 12 week after model construction (P < 0.05). Compared with Zhuanggu Guanjie pill group, the expression of Cyclin D1 mRNA in the Tougu Xiaotong capsule group was lower in 1 week after model construction (P < 0.05); the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in the Tougu Xiaotong capsule group was lower in 6 week after model construction (P < 0.05); the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor in the Tougu Xiaotong capsule group was lower in 9 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that Tougu Xiaotong capsule can change the rates and patterns of subchondral bone remodeling, and ultimately reduce the subchondral bone sclerosis.