Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2012, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (21): 3815-3818.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.21.004

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Effects of serum containing Tougu Xiaotong capsule on the expression of cartilage extracellular matrix  

Xu Hui-feng1, Wu Zhui-le1, Li Xi-hai1, Xu Yan-fang2, Wu Zi-yu2, Zheng Chun-song3, Liu Xian-xiang3, Wu Ming-xia4   

  1. 1Fujian Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou  350108, Fujian Province, China; 2Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou  350005, Fujian Province, China; 3Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fuzhou  350108, Fujian Province, China; 4the Second Affiliated People’s Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou  350003, Fujian Province, China
  • Received:2011-10-12 Revised:2011-12-14 Online:2012-05-20 Published:2012-05-20
  • Contact: Wu Ming-xia, Doctor, Chief physician, Professor, the Second Affiliated People’s Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350003, Fujian Province, China wumingxiafz@163.com
  • About author:Xu Hui-feng★, Master, Research intern, Fujian Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350108, Fujian Province, China huifeng0731@yahoo.com.cn
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81072826*; the Major Project Foundation of Fujian Provincial Administration of Science and Technology, No. 2010Y0029*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis causes the abnormal metabolism of chondrocytes, which will further disorder the degradation and restoration balance of the extracellular matrix. Tougu Xiaotong capsule has been proved to have a good efficacy on the treatment of osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of serum containing Tougu Xiaotong capsule on the expression of cartilage extracellular matrix.
METHODS: Chondrocytes obtained from the knee joints of SD rats were cultured in vitro, and the third passage chondrocytes were intervened with serum containing Tougu Xiaotong capsule after synchronization. Fifty SD rats were divided into five groups randomly; the dose of the injection was conversed according to the drugs equivalent of human and animal. In the blank group, the rats were lavaged with normal saline; in the control group, the rats were lavaged with Zhuangguguanjie aqueous solution; in the experimental group, the rats were lavaged with 0.145, 0.290 and 0.580 mg/g per day Tougu Xiaotong capsule aqueous solution. The injection in each group lasted for 3 days, and fasting was preformed at 12 hours before blood collection. At 1 hour after the last administration, the abdominal aortic blood was collected and the serum was prepared.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical staining of collagen type Ⅱ showed that the expression of collagen Ⅱ in the experimental group was stronger than that in the blank and control groups. In the experimental group, the mRNA and protein expression of collagen Ⅱ, proteoglycan and Aggrecan was significantly increased (P < 0.01), while the mRNA and protein expression of Cathepsin K was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Serum containing Tougu Xiaotong capsule can increase the mRNA and protein expression of collagen Ⅱ, proteoglycan, and Aggrecan in chondrocytes, decrease the mRNA and protein expression of Cathepsin K, promote the synthesis of extracellular matrix, and regulate the dynamic equilibrium between extracellular matrix and chondrocytes.

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