Lycium barbarum polysaccharide intervenes with CD151 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 in the articular cartilage in a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has the functions of anti-aging, nerve protection, anti-fatigue, blood sugar control, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor. It may have some protective effects against osteoarthritis of the knee, but have been rarely reported. CD151 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) are two common cytokines for assessing knee osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of LBP on the expression of CD151 and MMP-3 in rabbit osteoarthritis. METHODS: Sixty-four healthy 6-month-old white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups blank group, model group, LBP group and normal saline group. Animal models of knee osteoarthritis were made using Hulth method in the rabbits except those in the blank group. The rats in the LBP and normal saline groups were fed with normal dose of LBP and normal saline for 4 weeks, and then the articular cartilage tissues were taken from the affected side at 12 weeks after modeling. The morphological changes of the articular cartilage were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression levels and spatial distribution of CD151 and MMP-3 in articular cartilage was observed by immunohistochemical staining and western blot. Ethic approval was given by the People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (approval No. 2014-30817). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: immunohistochemistry staining and western blot results showed that the absorbance values and protein expression of MMP-3 and CD-151 were significantly lower in the LBP group than the normal saline and model groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, the expression of CD151 and MMP-3 in the articular cartilage of osteoarthritis was increased, and LBP could inhibit the expression of CD151 and MMP-3 in osteoarthritis, so as to slow down the occurrence of osteoarthritis.