Study On The Effect Of Kartogenin In Tissue Regeneration Of Nucleus Populsus

[Objective]:Intervertebral disc degeneration(IDD)is a kind of degenerative disease of the motor system which seriously affects the quality of life and productivity of human beings.The deterioration of nucleus pulposus plays the most critical role in IDD.Kartogenin is a kind of small molecule compound discovered in recent years that has been proven to have a positive effect on cartilage and tendon regeneration.However,the effect of Kartogenin on nucleus pulposus is unknown.The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of Kartogenin in regeneration of nucleus pulposus.[Methods]:Kartogenin with different concentrations(10-8 M,10-7 M,10-6 M)was used to treat rabbit NPCs in both non-inflammatory and inflammatory environments.Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation under Kartogenin were determined by Cell Count Kit-8 assay.The ability of ECM production was analyzed by alxin blue staining and type II collagen immunofluorescence staining of monolayer cultured cells,safranin O staining and type II collagen immunohistochemical staining,with the addition of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)for related genes.The antioxidant function was determined by detecting the expression of antioxidant genes,the concentration of reactive oxygen species(ROS),and the superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity.[Results]:Cell proliferation was not influenced in the non-inflammatory environment,but significantly inhibited in the inflammatory environment under Kartogenin.Both in the non-inflammatory and the inflammatory environment,Kartogenin promoted the production of proteoglycan and type II collagen by NPCs and up-regulated the expression of corresponding genes.Simultaneously,Kartogenin reduced the intracellular ROS level and increased the SOD activity,up-regulating the expression of antioxidant genes.The above effects of Kartogenin on NPCs showed a dose-effect relationship.[Conclusion]:Kartogenin inhibits the pathological proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells in an inflammatory environment.In both non-inflammatory and inflammatory environments,Kartogenin increases the ECM production and cellular antioxidant function.Therefore,Kartogenin can resist inflammatory stimulation and promote regeneration of nucleus pulposus.