胞外pH值通过BMP-2信号通路影响高磷诱导的血管平滑肌细胞钙化

目的 探讨骨形态发生蛋白2（bone morphogenetic protein 2,BMP-2）信号通路在不同pH值环境影响高磷诱导的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs）钙化中的作用。方法 选取5～8周龄健康雄性SD大鼠,体外分离培养大鼠胸主动脉VSMCs,采用免疫细胞化学方法鉴定。将VSMCs用随机抽样法分为正常对照组(pH7.4)、pH7.4+高磷组、pH7.1+高磷组及pH7.7+高磷组。采用茜素红染色及邻甲酚酞络合酮比色法检测细胞钙化情况,酶联免疫吸附法检测细胞碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性,用反转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）法检测BMP-2、Smad1及 Runt 相关转录因子2（Runx2） mRNA的表达。结果 与正常对照组相比,pH7.4+高磷组大鼠VSMCs的钙含量增加（P<0.05）、茜素红染色钙化结节增多,Runx2 mRNA表达及ALP活性均增高（P<0.05）;与pH7.4+高磷组相比,pH7.1+高磷组大鼠VSMCs的钙含量减低（P<0.05）、茜素红染色钙化结节减少,Runx2 mRNA表达及ALP活性均降低（P<0.05）,BMP-2、Smad1mRNA表达均降低（P<0.05）,pH7.7+高磷组大鼠VSMCs的钙含量增加（P<0.05）、茜素红染色钙化结节增多,Runx2 mRNA表达及ALP活性均增高（P<0.05）,BMP-2、Smad1mRNA表达均增高（P<0.05）。结论 胞外酸性环境（pH7.1）抑制高磷诱导的大鼠VSMCs钙化,胞外碱性环境（pH7.7）促进高磷诱导的大鼠VSMCs钙化,其机制可能是通过BMP-2信号通路介导了VSMCs的表型转化。     

丹酚酸B激活自噬改善高磷诱导血管平滑肌细胞钙化的机制研究

目的: 探讨丹酚酸B(Salvianolic acid B,SAB)改善高磷诱导的血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)钙化的作用及机制。方法: 采用大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(A7r5)钙化体外模型,用细胞增殖与活性检测试剂盒(cell counting kit-8,CCK-8)检测SAB对细胞活力的影响;2.6 μmol·g^-1高磷诱导VSMCs钙化,加入丹参多酚酸类化合物丹酚酸B、丹酚酸C(Salvianolic acid C,SAC)、迷迭香酸(Rosmarinic acid,RA)及细胞自噬特异性抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(3-methyladenine,3-MA,5 nmol·g^-1),采用邻甲酚酞络合铜法及茜素红S染色检测细胞钙化程度;Western blot检测VSMCs钙化指标Runx2、OPN,自噬相关蛋白Beclin-1和LC3II/LC3I以及平滑肌收缩表型蛋白Calponin、SM22α的表达。结果: (1)钙离子浓度定量实验及茜素红染色实验显示SAB显著减轻高磷诱导的VSMCs钙化;(2)SAB浓度小于100 nmol·g^-1以下时对VSMCs生存活力无明显影响,选择3,10,30 nmol·g^-1剂量进行后续实验;Western blot显示SAB明显降低VSMCs成骨样分化的分子标志物Runx2、OPN蛋白表达(P<0.05),上调自噬标志物Beclin-1、LC3-I/II及VSMCs收缩表型标志物Calponin、SM22蛋白表达(P<0.05)。(3)SAB减轻高磷诱导VSMCs钙化的作用被自噬抑制剂3-MA阻断。结论: SAB可通过激活自噬抑制VSMCs钙化及向成骨样表型转化。     

环氧酶-2在骨形态蛋白9诱导间充质干细胞骨向分化中的作用研究

目的研究环氧酶-2(COX-2)在骨形态蛋白9(BMP9)诱导间充质干细胞(MSCs)成骨分化过程中的作用,以及COX-2影响BMP9功能的可能机制。方法采用定量PCR、蛋白印迹和免疫细胞化学染色分析BMP9对COX-2表达的影响。采用化学发光法检测碱性磷酸酶(ALP)的活性,用RT-PCR法检测Smad6、Smad7 mRNA表达水平,用蛋白印迹检测Runx2、Dlx-5、Smad1/5/8及磷酸化Smad1/5/8蛋白水平。通过体内异位成骨实验检测COX-2对BMP9诱导MSCs成骨分化的影响。利用萤光素酶报告质粒检测BMPs/Smads信号活化程度。结果 BMP9明显诱导COX-2表达,抑制COX-2酶活性或沉默COX-2均抑制BMP9诱导C3H10T1/2细胞ALP活性增加。沉默COX-2明显抑制BMP9诱导C3H10T1/2细胞表达Runx2和Dlx-5,以及BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞异位成骨。沉默COX-2抑制BMPR-Smad报告质粒萤光素酶活性,降低Smad1/5/8的磷酸化水平,以及抑制Smad6和Smad7的mRNA表达。结论 COX-2对BMP9诱导MSCs成骨分化具有重要调节作用,其机制可能与COX-2调节BMPs/Smads信号转导有关。     

镁离子对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞钙化的影响 , 镁离子对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞钙化的影响

目的 探讨不同浓度镁离子对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)钙化的影响。方法 原代培养获取 VSMCs,进行形态学及免疫细胞鉴定,后将VSMCs随机分为阴性对照组、高磷组、镁干预组。阴性对照组采用含10%胎牛血清培养,高磷组采用高磷培养基培养,镁干预组在高磷培养基的基础上分别加入不同浓度氯化镁,使镁离子终浓度分别为1、2、3 mmol/L（镁干预组1~3）,刺激7 d后行钙化检测,测定钙含量及碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性,并行反转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测细胞内核心结合因子α1（Cbfα1）mRNA的表达。结果 高磷组和镁干预组VSMCs均有钙盐沉积,其钙含量均高于阴性对照组;镁干预组随镁离子浓度增大钙化结节逐渐缩小,除镁干预组1钙含量与高磷组无差异外,镁干预组2和镁干预组3均低于高磷组（均P＜0.05）。VSMCs ALP活性和Cbfα1 mRNA的表达除镁干预组3与阴性对照组无差异外,其余组均高于阴性对照组（P＜0.05）。镁干预组随镁离子浓度增大,ALP活性和Cbfα1 mRNA的表达水平均逐渐降低,且均低于高磷组（P＜0.05）。结论 镁离子可在一定程度上抑制高磷诱导的VSMCs钙化和成骨样转分化,其可能是通过降低VSMCs中Cbfα1的表达来实现的。     

Wnt10b与骨形态发生蛋白9诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化的关系

目的研究Wnt10b与骨形态发生蛋白9(BMP9)诱导间充质干细胞(MSCs)骨向分化的关系,以及相关的分子机制。方法利用PCR、Western blot、组织化学染色等方法,检测BMP9对Wnt10b表达的影响,以及Wnt10b对BMP9诱导的成骨分化的影响。同时,通过定量PCR、Western blot、油红O染色、流式细胞术等,分析Wnt10b影响BMP9成骨分化诱导作用的可能机制。结果 Wnt10b在C3H10T1/2、C2C12、MEFs和MC3T3-E1细胞中均有表达,BMP9在C3H10T1/2细胞中上调Wnt10b的表达水平。Wnt10b增强BMP9在C3H10T1/2细胞中增加OCN蛋白水平和促进钙盐沉积的能力,沉默Wnt10b减弱BMP9的作用。Wnt10b并不改变BMP9对细胞周期的影响,但能增强BMP9诱导的Smad1/5/8磷酸化,沉默Wnt10b减弱BMP9对Smad1/5/8磷酸化的促进作用。此外,Wnt10b抑制BMP9在C3H10T1/2细胞中诱导的成脂分化,沉默Wnt10b则促进BMP9的成脂分化诱导作用。结论 Wnt10b可以促进BMP9诱导的MSCs骨向分化,这种作用可能与增强BMP/Smad信号转导有关。     

骨形态发生蛋白9诱导间充质干细胞骨向分化与Wnt11的关系

目的探讨骨形态发生蛋白9(BMP9)诱导干细胞骨向分化与Wnt11的关系及可能的分子机制。方法通过q PCR、组织化学染色及Western blot等方法,检测成骨分化相关标志物,以及BMP/Smad和p38 MAPK信号的变化;利用荧光素酶报告质粒,检测BMP/Smad信号的活性改变。结果BMP9增加C3H10T1/2细胞中碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性、钙盐沉积、骨桥素(OPN)和Wnt11表达。Wnt11在C3H10T1/2、MEFs、MC3T3-E1和C2C12细胞中均有表达。在C3H10T1/2细胞中,Wnt11增强BMP9促进ALP活性、钙盐沉积、Runx-2和OPN表达的作用,以及BMP9对BMP/Smad报告质粒转录活性和Smad1/5/8磷酸化的促进作用;Wnt11还增强BMP9诱导p38 MAPK磷酸化的作用;抑制p38 MAPK则减弱BMP9诱导ALP活性、钙盐沉积及OPN表达的作用,但该效应能被Wnt11部分逆转。结论 BMP9在MSCs中能上调Wnt11表达。Wnt11能促进BMP9的骨向分化诱导作用,该作用可能与其增加BMP/Smad和p38 MAPK信号的活性有关。     

川芎嗪对膝骨性关节炎大鼠软骨下骨中miR-20b/VEGF和BMP2/Smad1通路的影响

目的:研究川芎嗪对膝骨性关节炎(KOA)模型大鼠软骨下骨中微小核糖核酸miR-20b/血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和骨形态发生蛋白2(BMP2)/Smad1通路的影响,并探讨川芎嗪防治KOA的作用机制。方法:取健康雄性SD大鼠18只,随机分为正常对照组、模型组、川芎嗪组,每组6只。对后两组大鼠通过膝关节腔注射4%木瓜蛋白酶溶液建立KOA模型。末次注射后第2天起,川芎嗪组大鼠灌胃川芎嗪混悬液(100 mg/kg)2 m L,正常对照组、模型组大鼠灌胃等体积生理盐水,每天1次,连续6周。给药结束后,暴露大鼠双侧膝关节软骨进行大体情况观察。截取大鼠膝关节,进行切片和苏木精-伊红(HE)染色,在显微镜下观察组织病理学变化,并采用改良的Mankin’s评分进行组织学评分。采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测大鼠软骨下骨组织中VEGF、BMP2、Smad1的mRNA表达和miR-20b表达水平;采用Western Blot法检测VEGF、BMP2、Smad1的蛋白表达水平。结果:模型组和川芎嗪组大鼠的膝关节均出现不同程度的软骨损伤;与正常对照组比较,模型组大鼠膝关节软骨组织Mankin’s评分显著升高(P<0.01);软骨下骨组织中BMP、Smad1的m RNA和蛋白表达以及miR-20b表达水平均显著降低,VEGF的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著升高(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,川芎嗪组大鼠关节软骨组织Mankin’s评分显著降低(P<0.01);软骨下骨组织中BMP、Smad1的mRNA和蛋白表达以及miR-20b表达水平均显著升高,VEGF的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:川芎嗪能修复KOA模型大鼠损伤的关节软骨,其机制可能是通过上调软骨下骨中miR-20b表达水平,促进VEGF mRNA降解继而抑制VEGF蛋白的表达,同时激活BMP-2/Smad1信号通路而实现的。     

Apelin抑制血管平滑肌细胞向成骨细胞分化

目的研究apelin对VSMCs向成骨细胞分化的作用以及作用机制。方法以体外培养的钙化型血管平滑肌细胞(CVMSCs)作为血管钙化的研究模型,通过检测碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性以及骨钙素的分泌观察apelin与VSMCs向成骨细胞分化之间的关系,应用细胞外调节蛋白激酶(ERK)抑制剂、磷脂酰激醇3-激酶(PI3-K)抑制剂以及APJ的小干扰RNA(APJ siRNA)观察涉及的信号通路。结果Apelin抑制ALP活性、骨钙素分泌以及矿化结节的形成。CVSMCs表达APJ蛋白。Apelin激活ERK和蛋白激酶B(AKT,PI3-K的下游子)。应用siRNA沉默APJ取消了apelin对ERK和Akt活化的抑制作用。而且,抑制APJ表达、ERK或PI3-K的活化逆转了apelin对ALP活性的影响。结论 Apelin通过APJ/ERK和APJ/PI3-K/AKT信号途径抑制CVSMCs向成骨细胞分化。Apelin可能对动脉钙化有保护作用。     

骨髓间充质干细胞来源外泌体对骨折大鼠的成骨作用

目的 探讨骨髓间充质干细胞来源外泌体(BMMSC-Exos)对骨折大鼠的成骨作用及促进骨愈合的影响。方法 大鼠原代骨髓间充质干细胞(BMMSCs)的提取与鉴定；外泌体的分离与鉴定；制备大鼠骨折模型，分组为对照组(control)、没有外泌体的培养基组(CM-Exo)和外泌体组(Exo组);mirco-CT检测3组大鼠愈伤组织体积(CV)、骨体积(BV)与总体积(TV)的比值；HE染色检测3组大鼠股骨组织病理变化；Western blot检测3组大鼠BMP2、Smad1和RUNX2蛋白的表达。结果 BMMSCs具有梭形形状并显示出涡旋分布，第3代BMMSCs经诱导分化后存在许多钙化结节和大量的脂质滴，流式细胞术表明CD29、CD90在BMMSCs中高表达，但CD45和CD117在BMMSCs不表达，并且其表型在传代中始终保持不变；BMMSC-Exos是球形的，直径50～150 nm,且表达CD81和CD63;在股骨骨折大鼠模型中，BMMSC-Exos明显增强了愈伤组织体积(P<0.05)和BV/TV(P<0.01);BMMSC-Exos也明显增强了BMP2、Smad1和RUN...     

基于TGF-β/Smad信号通路探讨伤科九味健骨片对骨折大鼠的影响

目的 观察伤科九味健骨片对骨折大鼠骨愈合的促进作用及对TGF-β/Smad通路的调控机制。方法 制备SD大鼠右侧胫骨闭合性骨折模型，按随机数字表法分为模型组、伤科接骨片组和伤科九味健骨片低、高剂量组，每组8只，另取8只未经处理的动物作为对照组。造模后第2天开始，伤科接骨片组ig伤科接骨片0.39 g/kg，伤科九味健骨片低、高剂量组分别ig伤科九味健骨片0.43、0.86 g/kg，对照组ig生理盐水，1次/d，共28 d。解剖观察右侧胫骨骨折愈合情况和组织形态病理学情况；采用ELISA法检测血清中促炎症因子白细胞介素（IL）-1β、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）；以及骨形成因子碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、骨钙素（BGP）的水平；利用Image J软件进行组织形态计量学分析Smad 1/5/9、Smad 6、转化生长因子β（TGF-β）、骨形态发生蛋白2（BMP2）蛋白的表达。结果 伤科九味健骨片组大鼠骨折侧胫骨愈合恢复良好，边缘整齐，平滑无隆起，无明显骨折痕迹；病理结果显示，伤科九味健骨片组骨折侧大鼠胫骨骨密质结构紧密，骨细胞及骨基质形态正常，内膜平整。与模型组比较，伤科九味健骨片能显著降低骨折大鼠血清中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平，显著升高骨折大鼠血清中ALP、BGP水平（P＜0.05、0.01）；并能显著上调胫骨组织中BMP2、Smad 1/5/9、TGF-β蛋白的表达，下调Smad 6蛋白的表达（P＜0.05、0.01）。结论 伤科九味健骨片具有促进骨折愈合的作用，其机制可能与降低血清中炎症因子水平，升高骨形成因子水平，以及上调TGF-β、BMP2、Smad 1/5/9蛋白表达、下调Smad 6蛋白的表达有关。     

Role of glutathione in reduction of arsenate and of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in disposition of arsenite in rats

Arsenate (AsV), the environmentally prevalent form of arsenic, is converted sequentially in the body to arsenite (AsIII), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAsV), monomethylarsonous acid (MMAsIII), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAsV) and some trimethylated metabolites. Although the biliary excretion of arsenic in rats is known to be glutathione (GSH)-dependent, involving transport of arsenic-GSH conjugates, the role of GSH in the reduction of AsV to the more toxic AsIII in vivo has not been defined. Therefore, we studied how the fate of AsV is influenced by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), which depletes GSH in tissues. Control and BSO-treated rats were given AsV (50 micromol/kg, i.v.) and arsenic metabolites in bile, urine, blood and tissues were analysed by HPLC-HG-AFS. BSO increased retention of AsV in blood and tissues and decreased appearance of AsIII in blood, bile (by 96%) and urine (by 63%). The biliary excretion of MMAsIII was also nearly abolished, the appearance of MMAsIII and MMAsV in the blood was delayed and the renal concentrations of these monomethylated arsenicals were decreased by BSO. Interestingly, appearance of DMAsV in blood and urine remained unchanged and the concentrations of this metabolite in the kidneys and muscle were even increased in response to BSO. To test the role of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) in arsenic disposition, the effect of the of the GGT inhibitor acivicin was investigated in rats injected with AsIII (50 micromol/kg, i.v.). Acivicin lowered the hepatic and renal GGT activities and increased the biliary as well as urinary excretion of GSH, but failed to alter the disposition (i.e. blood and tissue concentrations, biliary and urinary excretion) of AsIII and its metabolites. In conclusion, shortage of GSH decreases not only the hepatobiliary transport of arsenic, but also reduction of AsV and the formation of monomethylated arsenic, while not hindering the production of dimethylated arsenic. While GSH plays an important role in the disposition and toxicity of arsenic, GGT, which hydrolyses GSH and GSH conjugates, apparently does not influence the fate of the GSH-reactive trivalent arsenicals in rats.     

Role of desacetylation in the detoxification of cephalothin in renal cells in culture

The toxicity of three cephalosporin antibiotics to rabbit kidney cells in culture was compared to their known nephrotoxic potential in vivo (cephaloridine greater than cefazolin greater than cephalothin). While cephalothin is considered to be a relatively nonnephrotoxic cephalosporin when administered to many species including humans and rabbits, in several in vitro systems involving rabbit renal tissue, cephalothin was comparatively more toxic than anticipated based on in vivo data. Cephalothin is extensively desacetylated in rabbits to a less microbiologically active metabolite, desacetylcephalothin. When a microsomal S9 fraction from rabbit kidney was added to the in vitro assay in cultured rabbit renal cells, cephalothin was desacetylated and its toxicity to kidney cells was reduced. The addition of S9 in vitro provided a toxicity ranking of the cephalosporins that correlated with their known in vivo nephrotoxic potentials (cephaloridine greater than cefazolin greater than cephalothin). The in vitro detoxification of cephalothin by S9 was blocked by the coadministration of the esterase inhibitor, aminocarb. Desacetylcephalothin was relatively nontoxic to rabbit renal tissue in vitro. These results suggest that the desacetylation of cephalothin in vivo represents a previously unrecognized mechanism of detoxification of this cephalosporin antibiotic. Furthermore, this mechanism of detoxification may be applicable to other acetylated cephalosporins.     

2009年某院住院患者抗真菌药用药调查

目的:分析讨论某院抗真菌药使用的合理性,为临床安全有效地使用抗真菌药提供参考。方法:回顾性统计分析某院2009年住院患者抗真菌药用药信息。结果:2009年某院住院患者抗真菌药DDDs排名前3名分别为:氟康唑、制霉菌素和伊曲康唑;使用金额排名前3名分别为:氟康唑、米卡芬净及卡泊芬净;更换一种抗真菌药进行治疗的患者数为176人,在全部患者中占13.4%。结论:应进一步强化用药指征的意识,提高标本送检率,同时改善某些抗真菌用药不合理更换的现象,以避免耐药性发生,从而更好更长远地体现抗真菌药的治疗价值。     

应用PASS系统对我院2008年住院医嘱的分析

目的监测分析2008年我院住院患者用药情况。方法将PASS系统嵌入医生工作站、临床药学工作站等子系统,构建合理用药计算机网络系统,对住院医嘱进行及时监测,将监测结果向医生反馈,并对其进行统计、分析。结果2008年共监测医嘱3 620 241条,不合理医嘱908条,占0.02%。不合理医嘱中,配伍禁忌(381条)占41.96%,用法用量(381条)占41.96%,药物相互作用(108条)占11.89%,儿童用药(38条)占4.19%。经与医生沟通后,更改不合理医嘱856条,占94.27%。结论PASS系统可有效监测医嘱中的不合理用药,通过与医生交流,大大减少药物不良事件的发生,值得临床推广应用,也为临床药师开展工作带来了极大的便利。但PASS系统尚存在局限性,有待进一步完善。     

Kinetics of in vitro metabolism of methoxyphenamine in rats

1. Methoxyphenamine (MP) was metabolized in vitro by rat liver preparations to O-desmethylmethoxyphenamine (O-desmethyl-MP), N-desmethylmethoxyphenamine (N-desmethyl-MP) and 5-hydroxymethoxyphenamine (5-hydroxy-MP). These metabolic pathways were inhibited by SKF 525-A and carbon monoxide, which indicates that these reactions were mediated at least partly by an NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 system. 2. Strain differences in the metabolism of this drug in vitro were observed in female Lewis and Dark Agouti (DA) rats, which are proposed models for human debrisoquine phenotypes. Methoxyphenamine O-demethylase and 5-hydroxylase activity in DA rats were lower than those in Lewis rats. 3. The metabolic transformation of methoxyphenamine in vitro to O-desmethyl-MP was inhibited competitively by debrisoquine and sparteine. This indicates that the cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme mediating the metabolism of MP to O-desmethyl-MP is similar to that mediating metabolism of debrisoquine and sparteine. However, no inhibition was observed with methenytoin.     

微透析取样技术在中药体内分析中的应用研究进展

本文综述了微透析取样技术在中药体内分析中的应用,介绍微透析取样技术的原理、组成、探针类型、特点,重点阐述了微透析取样技术在测定脑、血液、皮肤等组织器官中中药有效成分浓度的应用实例。表明微透析取样技术在中药药效研究中具有广阔的前景。     

应用PASS系统分析我院2010年住院医嘱

目的:了解我院2010年住院患者的合理用药情况,探讨如何利用合理用药监测系统( PASS)提高合理用药水平.方法:利用PASS对我院2010年15 966例住院患者的1 184 997条用药医嘱进行监测,以黑色警示医嘱为依据,收集不合理用药信息,并对监测结果进行统计、分析.结果:不合理用药医嘱50 261条,发生率为4.24％.绝对禁止黑色医嘱5441条,主要为药物相互作用(66.54％)、注射液体外配伍(17.86％)、用法用量(15.46％)、儿童警告(1.14％).结论:应用PASS系统能有效监测医嘱中的不合理用药情况,有利于提高临床合理用药水平,但PASS系统尚存在局限性,有待进一步完善.     

Changes in levels of dependency and predictors of mortality in elderly people in institutional care in Dunedin

The 1983 study of dependency of subjects in institutional care in Dunedin was repeated two years later. A significant increase in levels of dependency in residential homes, particularly in the Religious and Welfare sector was found. In 1983 there were 29 high dependency residents and 73 medium dependency residents in residential homes. In 1985 these numbers had increased to 55 and 86 respectively. There was no change in the number of low dependency residents. In 1983, 6 high dependency residents had been admitted to residential home care in the year prior to the study. In 1985 the number of high dependency residents recently admitted had increased to 23. There had also been a significant increase in the dependency of patients in Religious and Welfare continuing care hospitals. Of the 933 subjects in institutional care in 1983 who were able to be followed, 354 (37.9%) died in the following 2 years. Mortality rate was higher for those in hospital care (48.1%) than for those in residential home care (29.6%). Mortality rates were higher in more dependent subjects and this was evident for each measure of dependency.     

Chondroprotective Effects of Wogonin in Experimental Models of Osteoarthritis in vitro and in vivo

We evaluated the chondroprotective effects of wogonin by investigating its effects on the gene expression and production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as on production of MMP-3 in the rat knee. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and RT-PCR was used to measure interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), and type II collagen. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, the effects of wogonin on IL-1β-induced production and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 were investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of wogonin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. In rabbit articular chondrocytes, wogonin inhibited the expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4, but increased expression of type II collagen. Furthermore, wogonin inhibited the production and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 in vitro, and inhibited production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that wogonin can regulate the gene expression and production of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.