Effect of ozone on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in articular cartilage of rats with osteoarthritis / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of ozone (O3) on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the articular cartilage of rats with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods Eighteen male SPF Wistar rats,aged 3 months,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =6 each) using a random number tablecontrol group (group C),group OA,and O3 group (group O).OA was induced by injection of monosodium iodoacetate 3 mg (50 μl) into the right knee joint cavity.On 7th day after the model was established successfully,25 μg/ml O3 1 ml were injected into the knee joint cavity,once a week for 3 consecutive weeks in group O.Behavioral changes were observed after establishment of the model.At 1 day before establishment of the model,and 1,4,7,14,21 and 28 days after establishment of the model,the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured.At 28 days after establishment of the model,the total knee joint was removed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for examination of the pathological changes of the cartilage (under light microscope) and for determination of the expression of β-catenin and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in the cartilage (by immunohistochemistry).Results The signs of OA such as hind-limb motor dysfunction,knee joint swelling,or decreased joint motion,and signs of hyperalgesia such as lickings were observed after establishment of the model in rats.Compared with group C,the MWT was significantly decreased at each time point after establishment of the model,and the ex pression of β-catenin and MMP-13 in the cartilage was significantly up-regulated in the other two groups(P＜0.05).Compared with group OA,the MWT was significantly increased at 7-28 days after establishment of the model,and the expression of β-catenin and MMP-13 in the cartilage was significantly down-regulated in group O (P＜0.05).The pathological changes of the cartilage were significantly reduced in group O as compared with group OA.Conclusion The mechanism by which O3 mitigates OA is probably related to inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation in the articular cartilage in rats.