温针灸对膝骨性关节炎兔软骨及软骨下骨形态学的影响

目的:观察温针灸对膝骨性关节炎(KOA)兔软骨及软骨下骨形态学的影响,探讨温针灸能否减轻关节软骨及软骨下骨的退变从而减缓KOA的发展。方法:40只雄性新西兰兔随机分为空白组、模型组、温针灸组及阿仑膦酸钠组,每组10只。采用管型石膏伸直位固定法固定兔右后肢6周制备KOA模型。温针灸组给予"内膝眼""外膝眼"及"鹤顶"温针灸治疗,每次15 min,每日1次,连续4周;阿仑膦酸钠组给予阿仑膦酸钠溶液灌胃(150μg·kg^-1·d^-1),连续4周。治疗结束后对所有新西兰兔膝关节行X线、磁共振成像(MRI)检查。X线结果采用K-L分级法对关节间隙、软骨下骨增生程度进行分级;MRI结果采用Recht分级法对软骨退变程度进行分级,采用WORMS评分法对骨髓水肿程度进行评分;HE染色法观察膝关节软骨组织形态学改变,采用Mankin评分评价软骨退变程度;扫描电镜观察膝关节软骨表面的形态学改变;透射电镜观察膝关节软骨细胞的超微结构。结果:与空白组比较,模型组K-L分级、Recht分级、WORMS评分及Mankin评分明显升高(P<0.05,P<0.01);扫描电镜显示模型组软骨缺损严重;透射电镜显示模型组软骨细胞变性肿胀,细胞器减少、形态紊乱,细胞外基质胶原纤维分布混乱。与模型组比较,温针灸组和阿仑膦酸钠组K-L分级、Recht分级、WORMS评分及Mankin评分明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。扫描电镜显示,温针灸组软骨无明显缺损,软骨表面较平坦;阿仑膦酸钠组软骨有缺损,但再生软骨组织表面平坦。透射电镜显示,温针灸组软骨细胞形态基本正常,细胞器形态明显改善、数量明显增多,胞外基质胶原纤维较丰富,分布较为均匀;阿仑膦酸钠组细胞外形正常,细胞器数量较多,形态紊乱,胞外基质胶原纤维分布较混乱。与阿仑膦酸钠组比较,温针灸组Mankin评分降低(P<0.01)。结论:温针灸治疗可以有效减缓KOA兔软骨及软骨下骨退变,从而起到减缓KOA发展的作用。

Effect of warm needle moxibustion on morphological changes of cartilage and subchondral bone in knee osteoarthritis rabbits

Objective To observe the effect of warm needle with moxibustion(WNM) on morphological changes of articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissues in knee osteoarthritis(KOA) rabbits, so as to explore whether WNM intervention can delay the development of KOA. Methods Forty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank control, model, WNM and medication(Alendronate sodium) groups, with 10 rabbits in each group. A KOA model was established by immobilizing the right hind limb of rabbits with orthopedic casting tape for 6 weeks. The rabbits of the WNM group received WNM stimulation at "Neixiyan"(EX-LE4) "Waixiyan"(ST35) and "Heding"(EX-LE2) for 15 min, once a day for 4 weeks and those of the medication group received gavage of Alendronate sodium(150 μg·kg^-1·d^-1) once a day for 4 weeks. X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scanning were performed to observe the structure of the knee joints. Outcomes of X-ray examination were used to assess the degree of bone hyperplasia and joint space stenosis which were scaled according to Kellgren and Lawrence(K-L) standards, and those of MRI used to evaluate the degree of cartilage damage and bone marrow edema degrees which were respectively scored according to Recht scaling standards and semi-quantitative whole-organ MRI score(WORMS). Histopathological changes(degeneration degrees) of the articular cartilage were observed after H.E. staining, and given Mankin score. The ultrastructure of the cartilage surface and chondrocytes was observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM), respectively. Results Compared with the blank control group, the K-L grade, Recht grade, WORMS and Mankin score of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01). After the intervention and in comparison with the model group, the K-L grade, Recht grade, WORMS and Mankin score of both WNM and medication groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). Results of SEM showed severe defect, bulge and uneven surface of the cartilage with irregular growth and regeneration, and those of TEM showed degeneration and swelling of chondrocytes, margination of endonuclear chromatin, reduction in the number of organelles with disordered arrangement, extreme expansion of endoplasmic reticulum with detachment of the ribosome, unclear mitochondria, and disordered distribution of collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix in the model group, which was relatively milder in both the WNM and medication groups. Compared with the medication group, the Mankin score in the WNM group was evidently lower(P<0.05).Conclusion WNM can effectively slow down the degeneration of cartilage and subchondral bone of KOA rabbits, delay the development of KOA.