Protective effects of low-concentration hydrogen sulfide on rheumatoid joint disease / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease which is characterized by synovial lesions and bone erosion. The clinical treatment is stil a difficulty. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on the articular lesions in rheumatoid arthritis rats. METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups:control group, model group, high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide intervention group, low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide intervention group. At 2 and 4 weeks after intervention, the arthritis index, levels of serum inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrotic factor-αand interleukin-1β), pathological change of synovial tissue, average absorbance of knee joint specimens using col agen-II immunohistochemical staining were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The arthritis index, levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory infiltration of synovial staining in the model group and two intervention groups were higher than that in control group, the high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide intervention group was significantly higher than the model group (P<0.05) while the low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide intervention group was lower than the model group (P<0.05). The average absorbance of knee cartilage specimens using col agen-II immunohistochemical staining was lower in the model group and two hydrogen sulfide intervention groups compared with the control group, the high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide intervention group was significantly lower than the model group (P<0.05) while low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide intervention group was higher than the model group (P<0.05). Hydrogen sulfide has a regulatory effect on rheumatoid arthritis, high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide aggravate arthritis and cartilage degradation, low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide reduce arthritis and protect cartilage.