ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effects of Shexiang Wulong pill on serum interleukin-1 (IL-1), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3), matrix tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP-1) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) expression.Methods:Using prospective cohort study method, the subjects were KOA patients from Department of Rheumatology and Immunology clinic of North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital from March 2016 to June 2018.According to random number table The patients were divided into two groups: the treatment group (treated with shexiangwulong pill) with 46 cases and the control group (Kanggu Zengsheng tablet) with 46 cases.The treatment group was treated with Shexiang Wulong pill, 30 capsules per time, twice a day; the control group was treated with Kanggu Zengsheng tablet, four tablets per time, twice a day.The treatment period was 8 weeks.The levels of IL-1, TGF-β1, MMP3 and TIMP-1 in the serum of the patients in the treatment group and the control group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the differences of relevant indexes between the two groups were statistically analyzed.Results:Forty-six cases were completed in the treatment group and 44 cases were completed in the control group.After treatment with Shexiang Wulong pill and Kanggu Zengsheng tablet, the levels of IL-1 were (30.99±2.80) μg/L, (32.90±2.84) μg/L in the treatment group and the control group, resectively( t=3.21, P<0.001). There was no significant difference of TGF-β1 levels between the treatment group((214.87±17.30) μg/L) and the control group ((208.85±15.53) μg/L, ( t=1.73, P=0.08). The levels of TIMP-1 were (139.60±6.79) μg/L, (135.09±6.16) μg/L in the treatment group and the control group, resectively( t=3.29, P<0.001). The levels of MMP3 were (1.19±0.10) μg/L, (1.23±0.06) μg/L in the treatment group and the control group, resectively ( t=2.28, P=0.03). The rate of TIMP1/MMP3 were 111.04±8.81, 118.46±12.06 in the treatment group and the control group, resectively( t=3.34, P<0.001). Conclusion:Shexiang Wulong pill can decrease the levels of IL-1 and MMP-3, and increase the levels of TGF-β1, TIMP-1, and the rate of TIMP1/MMP3, so as to protect the articular cartilage and improve the knee joint function in patients with KOA.