Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and pioglitazone on chondrocytes in osteoarthritis / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate any protective effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and pioglitazone on chondrocytes in osteoarthritic patients using the pathway from peroxisome proliferator-activated γreceptor (PPARγ) to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).Methods Normal chondrocytes of 24 healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were extracted and divided into a normal group,a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group,a LIPUS group (LPS+LIPUS) and a pioglitazone group (LPS+pioglitazone),each of 6 using a random number table.Each group was given the intervention their names implies.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),leptin (LEP) and nitric oxide (NO) in the chondrocytes were detected using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assays.The expression of type Ⅱ collagen (COL2) in the chondrocytes of each groups was detected using immunocytochemistry and fluorescent staining.The mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ,NF-κB and iNOS were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions and western blotting respectively.Results Compared with the LPS group,the average level of TNF-α,LEP and NO in the LIPUS and pioglitazone groups was significantly lower,with the levels in the pioglitazone group significantly lower than in the LIPUS group.Compared with the LPS group,COL2 expression in the LIPUS group was significantly greater.The mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ in the chondrocytes in the LIPUS and pioglitazone groups were significantly higher than those in the LPS group.Compared with the LPS group,the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB and iNOS in the pioglitazone and LIPUS groups were significantly lower,with the pioglitazone group's levels significantly below those of the LIPUS group.Conclusion LIPUS and pioglitazone may promote anti-inflammatory action and COL2 synthesis in chondrocytes through the PPARγ/ NF-κB/iNOS pathway and play a protective role,at least in rabbits.