The effect of berberine on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and ADAMTS-5 in articular cartilage in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of intra-articular injection of berberine on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13,ADAMTS-5,Aggrecan and Collagen Ⅱ in the cartilage of rabbits with osteoarthritis.Methods Thirty male New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT).On the basis of randomization one knee of each rabbit was treated with 0.3 ml 100 μmol/L berberine resolved in the normal saline (NS) (the experimental group) and the other knee was treated under the same schedule using NS (the placebo group) 4 weeks after transection,once a week for five weeks.Nine weeks after ACLT,all rabbits were killed and the knee joints were evaluated by histology and biochemistry.The mRNA expression of MMP-13,ADAMTS-5,Aggrecan and Collagen Ⅱ in the cartilage was analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).All data were analyzed using Student's t test.Results Mankin histological evaluation showed that the extent and grade of cartilage damage in the experimental group (6.9±1.9) were less severe than the placebo group (9.3±1.2)(t=3.394,P＜0.01).The mRNA expression of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 decreased (160±54;166±47) (t=3.311,P＜0.01;t=2.651,P＜0.05) while that of Aggrecan (261±50) and Collagen Ⅱ (335±64) increased in cartilage compared to the placebo group (233±45;234±67;186±64;254±69),the differences were significant (t=2.941,P＜0.01;t=2.743,P＜0.05).The content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in cartilage [(23.5±2.8) μg/mg;(30±3) μg/mg] increased significantly in the experimental group (t=2.941,P＜0.01;t=2.743,P＜0.05) compared to the placebo group [(19.9±2.8) μg/mg;(27.4±2.9) μg/mg].Conclusion Berberine protects against cartilage degradation and inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis by suppressing MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 expression.