Compound Tripterygium Wilfordii Preparation External Treatment Affects ERK Expression In Synovial Tissue In Rat Model Of Type Ⅱ Collagen Induced Arthritis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of external application of Tripterygium wilfordii on the expression of IL-1,TNF-α,VEGF and Ang in synovial tissue and serum of CIA rats,as well as the expression of ERK on fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS),and the relationship of between ERK pathway activation and synovial proliferation as well as angiogenesis,to explore the mechanism of external application of Tripterygium wilfordii.MethodsUsing type Ⅱ collagen induced arthritis(CIA)rat model as the study subject,40 SD rats were divided into 4 groups:normal group,CIA model group,Compound Tripterygium Wilfordii Preparation external treatment group,Votalin emulsion external application group and tripterygium wilfordii glycosides tablets orally taken group.Volumes of paw swelling,joints,liver,kidney and ovary pathological were observed;serum and synovial tissue interleukin 1 beta(IL-1 beta),tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF alpha),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and angiogenin 1(Ang-1)were measured by ELISA;synovial tissue extracellular signal regulating kinase(ERK)pathway was measured by western blots.ResultsCompound Tripterygium wilfordii Preparation significantly reduced paw swelling in CIA rats;pathological biopsy showed inhibited synovial proliferation,reduced inflammation cells infiltration,delayed effect of bone and cartilage destruction without liver,kidney and reproductive toxicity;compared with model group,Compound Tripterygium Wilfordii Preparation external treatment group significantly reduced the expression of serum IL-1 beta(P<0.01),the TNF alpha(P<0.001)and Ang-1(P<0.01)in CIA rats;IL-1 beta(P<0.001),TNF alpha(P<0.01),VEGF(P<0.01)and Ang-1(P<0.001)in synovial tissue also decreased compared with model group;compared with model group,the mRNA expression level in synovial tissue of IL-1 beta(P<0.05),TNF alpha(P<0.01),VEGF(P<0.001)and Ang-1(P<0.001)significantly reduced in Compound Tripterygium Wilfordii Preparation external treatment group;compared with model group,Compound Tripterygium Wilfordii Preparation external treatment group weakened protein phosphorylationthe of ERK in synovial tissue.ConclusionCompound Tripterygium Wilfordii Preparation has attenuated synergistic effects by reducing inflammatory cytokine levels,decreasing ERK pathway activation and inhibiting synovial proliferation in arthritis synovial tissue to reduce synovium angiogenesis and pannus formation for the therapy of arthritis.