Co-Expression and Co-Localization of Cartilage Glycoproteins CHI3L1 and Lubricin in Osteoarthritic Cartilage: Morphological,Immunohistochemical and Gene Expression Profiles

Osteoarthritis is the most common human arthritis characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage. Several studies reported that levels of human cartilage glycoprotein chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) are known as a potential marker for the activation of chondrocytes and the progression of Osteoarthritis (OA), whereas lubricin appears to be chondroprotective. The aim of this study was to investigate the co-expression and co-localization of CHI3L1 and lubricin in normal and osteoarthritic rat articular cartilage to correlate their modified expression to a specific grade of OA. Samples of normal and osteoarthritic rat articular cartilage were analyzed by the Kellgren–Lawrence OA severity scores, the Kraus’ modified Mankin score and the Histopathology Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) system for histomorphometric evaluations, and through CHI3L1 and lubricin gene expression, immunohistochemistry and double immuno-staining analysis. The immunoexpression and the mRNA levels of lubricin increased in normal cartilage and decreased in OA cartilage (normal vs. OA, p < 0.01). By contrast, the immunoexpression and the mRNA levels of CHI3L1 increased in OA cartilage and decreased in normal cartilage (normal vs. OA, p < 0.01). Our findings are consistent with reports suggesting that these two glycoproteins are functionally associated with the development of OA and in particular with grade 2/3 of OA, suggesting that in the future they could be helpful to stage the severity and progression of the disease.     

Non‐Contact Evaluation of Osmosis‐Induced Shrinkage and Swelling Behavior of Articular Cartilage In‐Situ Using High‐Frequency Ultrasound

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to use high‐frequency ultrasound for the investigation of the transient osmosis‐induced free shrinkage‐swelling behaviors of normal articular cartilage in situ. Full‐thickness cartilage‐bone specimens were prepared from normal bovine patellae. The transient shrinkage and swelling strains of the cartilage induced by changing the bathing solution between physiological saline (0.15 M) and hypertonic saline (2 M) were monitored using a 50 MHz focused ultrasound beam. Both shrinkage and swelling strains showed temporary overshoots, followed by relaxation phases. The absolute peak value of the shrinkage strain (1.01%±0.62%) was significantly larger (p<0.05) than that of the swelling strain (0.40%±0.33%). It was found that the change of the mean ultrasound speed in cartilage could be approximately represented by an exponential function of time after the change of saline concentration.

This study successfully demonstrated that a high‐frequency focused ultrasound beam could be used to monitor the transient osmosis‐induced deformation of articular cartilage in a non‐contact way. Since the osmosis‐swelling behavior of cartilage relates to its compositional and structural characteristics and degeneration status, the reported ultrasound method may have potential for the characterization of cartilage degeneration, such as osteoarthritis.     

Inhibitors of hyaluronan export from hops prevent osteoarthritic reactions

Scope: An early reaction in osteoarthritic chondrocytes is hyaluronan overproduction followed by proteoglycan loss and collagen degradation. We recently found that hyaluronan is exported by the ATP‐binding cassette transporter multidrug resistance associated protein 5 (MRP5) in competition with cGMP and that some phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors also inhibited hyaluronan export. These inhibitors also prevented osteoarthritic reactions in cartilage. In an effort to identify the improved inhibitors directed primarily toward MRP5, we analyzed the flavonoids Methods and results: Prenylflavonoids from hop xanthohumol, isoxanthohumol and 8‐prenylnaringenin inhibited MRP5 export at lower concentrations than phosphodiesterase 5 activity. They were analyzed for their effect on IL‐induced osteoarthritic reactions in bovine chondrocytes. Xanthohumol was the superior compound to inhibit hyaluronan export, as well as proteoglycan and collagen loss. It also prevented the shedding of metalloproteases into the culture medium. It directly inhibited MRP5, because it reduced the export of the MRP5 substrate fluorescein immediately and did not influence the hyaluronan synthase activity. Conclusions: Xanthohumol may be a natural compound to prevent hyaluronan overproduction and subsequent reactions in osteoarthritis.     

红光治疗仪治疗78例膝关节炎患者的效果分析

目的:探讨红光治疗仪治疗膝关节炎的临床效果。方法:选择我院自2013年3月至2014年3月期间收治的膝关节炎患者78例,将其平均分为观察组(n=39)和对照组(n=39)。观察组采用红光治疗仪进行治疗,对照组采用双氯芬酸钠进行治疗,观察和统计患者接受治疗后的临床效果及生活质量改善情况。结果:观察组患者接受治疗后的临床效果明显优于对照组患者(P0.05);观察组患者生活质量改善情况明显优于对照组患者(P0.05)。结论:红光治疗仪治疗膝关节炎效果显著,改善了患者的生活质量,值得推广。     

35例膝骨关节炎患者软骨厚度的超声检查

目的本文探讨了超声波在膝骨关节炎的诊断中价值和意义,用超声波检测膝骨关节炎患者软骨的厚度。方法对70个患骨关节炎的膝关节不同部位软骨厚度,包括滑车中央沟,股骨髁前方、负重区、后方7个部位进行超声波测量。并取10例20个正常膝关节软骨厚度作对照。结论高频超声波能够较准确地评价膝骨关节炎软骨厚度的变化。     

基于网络药理学的桃红四物汤治疗骨关节炎作用机制研究

目的 基于网络药理学方法分析桃红四物汤治疗骨关节炎（Osteoarthritis,OA）的作用机制。方法 通过 TCMSP数据库检索搜集并筛选桃红四物汤中桃仁、红花、川芎、当归、熟地黄、白芍的主要成分及靶点信息,用Cytoscape3.7.2软件构建药物-成分-靶点网络;通过 GeneCards 和 TTD 数据库搜集 OA的相关靶点信息;借助Genomics平台分析共有靶点并绘制韦恩图;通过STRING平台进行蛋白质相互作用分析,构建PPI网络;通过David数据库进行GO分析及KEGG信号通路富集分析（P＜0.05）。结果 共筛选获得桃红四物汤64个主要成分、219个靶点,OA相关靶点1 465个,共同靶点112个,潜在治疗靶点有AKT1、TP53、IL6、TNF等;获得GO生物过程592条、KEGG信号富集通路106条,主要涉及PI3K/Akt信号通路、MAPK信号通路、NF-κB信号通路等。结论 本研究通过网络药理学方法初步分析了桃红四物汤多成分、多靶点、多通路治疗OA,为临床药物使用及开发提供分析依据。     

健身气功五禽戏治疗膝关节骨性关节炎研究进展

膝关节骨性关节炎是一种常见的关节退行性疾病,以膝关节疼痛和活动受限为主要症状,目前临床上的治疗方法多数只能暂时缓解症状,效果不能令人满意。健身气功五禽戏是我国传统的健身项目,对于多种疾病均具有一定的缓解作用。近年来,已开展多项关于五禽戏治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的临床研究,但尚未有系统总结。通过查阅近二十年来五禽戏对膝关节骨性关节炎治疗的相关文献,对五禽戏在膝关节骨性关节炎治疗中的应用研究进行了概括总结,并提出了对现状的思考,以期为五禽戏和膝关节骨性关节炎的相关研究提供参考。