Effects Of Zhengqing Fengtongning Injection On β-Catenin、MMP-13 And TGF-β Expression In Cartilage Of Rabbit KOA Model

Objective:To investigate the effect of Zhengqing Fengtongning injection on the expression of β-catenin,MMP-13 and TGF-β in the articular cartilage of KOA big-eared rabbits,and to explore the therapeutic effect of Zhengqing Fengtongning injection on knee osteoarthritis and its possible mechanism.Methods:Twenty-six male New Zealand big-eared rabbits were divided into blank group(7rabbits)and model group(19 rabbits)by random number table method.The model group was modeled according to the proposed modeling method.After the modeling,one rabbit from each group was dissected.After the modeling was successful,the remaining 18 rabbits in the model group were divided into model group,platelet lysate group and Zhengqing Fengtongning group.Then,drugs were injected into the posterior knee cavities of rabbits on day 1,4,7 and 10,respectively.The changes of articular cartilage of rabbits in each group were observed.The pathological sections stained with HE were observed under microscope.The expression levels of β-catenin,MMP-13 and TGF-β in articular cartilage were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:1.Direct observation results showed that Zhengqing Fengtongning injection could protect articular cartilage.Compared with the model group,articular cartilage had brighter color,smooth surface,less crack formation,no cartilage defect,and no obvious osteophyte formation.2.The results of HE staining under microscope showed that Zhengqing Fengtongning injection could protect chondrocytes,and the cell morphology was generally normal.A small amount of cell apoptosis and nuclear lobulation were occasionally observed,and nuclear pyysis was not obvious.3.The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression levels of β-catenin,MMP-13 and TGF-β in model group were significantly increased compared with blank group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,Zhengqing Fengtongning injection group could inhibit the expression of β-catenin,MMP-13 and TGF-β,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).In the inhibition of β-catenin expression,there was no statistically significant difference between Zhengqing Fengtongning injection group and platelet lysate group(P>0.05).However,there was statistical significance in inhibiting the expression of MMP-13 and TGF-β(P<0.05),and platelet lysate was better than Zhengqing Fengtongning injection.Conclusion:1.Zhengqing Fengtongning injection can repair damaged articular cartilage.2.Zhengqing Fengtongning injection can inhibit the apoptosis of chondrocytes and the degradation of extracellular matrix,and protect chondrocytes.3.The therapeutic effect of Zhengqing Fengtongning injection on KOA may be related to the inhibition of the overexpression of β-catenin,MMP-13 and TGF-β.