Electro-acupuncture regulates the expression of the silence regulator homolog 1 and p53 tumor suppressor genes in the chondrocytes of osteoarthritic knees / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate any effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on the expression of the silence regulator homolog 1 (SIRT1) and p53 tumor suppressor genes in chondrocytes of persons with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods:Thirty-six experimental rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an electro-acupuncture group, each of 12. One knee of each rabbit in the model and electro-acupuncture groups was fixed for 6 weeks to induce OA, while the control group was not given any intervention. The rabbits in the electro-acupuncture group were then treated with electro-acupuncture for 16 days; the model group rabbits were fixed to the treatment table but were not given electro-acupuncture. At the end of the experiment, the articular cartilage was hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained for microscopic examination and Mankin scoring. The chondrocytes′ gray values after immunohistochemical staining allowed determination of the SIRT1 and p53 expression levels.Results:The average histopathological grade, Mankin score and stained Mankin score of the electro-acupuncture group were all superior to the model group′s averages. SIRT1 and p53 expression were detected in all three groups, but the SIRT1 gray value of the model group was significantly higher than the other two groups′ averages. The average p53 gray value in the model group was significantly lower.Conclusions:Electro-acupuncture can effectively alleviate the symptoms of knee OA, perhaps by up-regulating SIRT1 expression in the cartilage, inhibiting apoptosis of articular chondrocytes and generally promoting cell regeneration.