ABSTRACT
Objective::Duanteng Yimu decoction(DTYMD)is effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by relieving joint inflammation and down-regulating some inflammatory factors in a short period of time, but the mechanism is still unclear. We aimed to investigate upstream kinase of mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPK) and define the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DTYMD. Method::Fibroblasts-like synovial cells(FLSs) were divided into blank group, model group (IL-1β), high-dose DTYMD group (1 000 mg·L-1), medium-dose DTYMD group (800 mg·L-1), low-dose DTYMD group (600 mg·L-1) and armour ammonia butterfly(MTX) group (20 μmol·L-1). The protein and mRNA expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MEKK2) were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(Real-time PCR). Totally 42 male DBA/1J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 7 mice in each group, namely normal group, model group and MTX group (2 mg·kg-1), low-dose DTYMD group (6.25 mg·kg-1), medium-dose DTYMD group (12.5 mg·kg-1), and high-dose DTYMD group (25 mg·kg-1). Except for the normal group, the other five groups were included in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model by secondary immunoassay. After administration, the posterior limbs and ankle joints were stained with htoxylin-eosin(HE), and the pathological scores of the joints were evaluated. Result::Compared with the model group, DTYMD inhibited the activity of FLSs in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the cell proliferation rate of the model group increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high and middle-dose DTYMD groups could inhibit protein and mRNA expressions of MEKK2 (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in low-dose group. However, the expression of DTYMD protein in high/medium/low-dose groups was significantly higher than that in blank group (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in MTX group. Compared with the model group, the expressions of matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL)-6 were negatively regulated in different DTYMD groups(P<0.01), and the expressions of MMP-1, IL-6, TNF-α in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the animal experiment, compared with the model group, high/middle-dose DTYMD groups could decrease the degree of joint swelling in CIA mice (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the low dose group, and the joint swelling in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.05). In HE staining of ankle joint of CIA mice, the pathological scores of high/small-dose DTYMD groups were significantly lower those of model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the pathological score of model group was higher than that of blank group (P<0.01). Conclusion::DTYMD might down-regulate MEKK2 to negatively regulate inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and MMP-1, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) model used of DBA/1J mouse ,a preliminary study of the expression levels of BM Ps in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and the joints tissue of CIA mice .Methods We induced DBA/1J mice and developed arthritis pathology by using of bovine type Ⅱ ;then ,we detected mRNA and protein expression levels of BMPs by using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining .Results We successfully established CIA mouse model .The expres‐sion of BMP4 and BMP9 mRNA was significantly down‐regulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in the pathogenesis of joint tissues of CIA mice (P<0 .05) .It showed that BMP9 protein significantly decreased in joint tissues of CIA mice by immuno‐fluorescence technique (P=0 .002) .Conclusion At the genetic level ,the expression of BMP4 and BMP9 could be significantly down‐regulated in the CIA mouse .At the protein level ,BMP9 could be significantly down‐regulated in the CIA mouse .
ABSTRACT
Objective:To determine the correlation of BCG concentration in Freund complete adjuvant ( FCA) and severity of arthritis during arthritis establishment in DBA 1/j male mice induced by bovine type Ⅱcollagen.Methods:CIA was induced by the im-munization of DBA1/j mice with bovine type Ⅱcollagen and BCG of various concentrations dissolved in FCA.To ascertain the effects administering the collagen booster,CIA-related features(including body weight,clinical scoring of arthritis),TNF-αin serum and the histopathological changes in the spleen and the joints regions were measured.Results:4 mg/ml BCG induced more serious arthritis than 1 mg/ml in DBA1/j mice after collagen exposure.Conclusion:There is a positive correlation of arthritis severity with BCG.Which indicates that selection of adjuvant with suitable BCG concentration could determine pathological outcome in CIA mouse model .