加味补阳还五汤对膝骨关节炎大鼠软骨细胞凋亡的影响OA

Objective:To investigate the potential mechanisms of modified Buyang Huanwu decoction(MBYHWD)in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods:Fifty male SPF-grade SD rats were adaptively fed for 7 d and then ran-domly divided into five groups(n=10 per group):the sham-operated group,the model group,the positive drug group,the MBYHWD low-dose group,and the MBYHWD high-dose group.Except for the sham-operated group,KOA models were established in the rats using the modified Hulth method.Two weeks after successful modeling,intragastric administration began:the positive drug group received 25 mg/kg of glucosamine hydrochloride;the MBYHWD low-dose and high-dose groups received 6.5 g/kg and 26.0 g/kg of MBYHWD,respectively;while the remaining groups received an equal volume of saline,once daily for 4 consecutive weeks.After treatment,the Lequesne MG behavioral assess-ment was performed,and the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold(MWT)was measured.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.Histological morphology of the right knee cartilage was observed via HE staining,chondrocyte apoptosis within the joint was assessed by TUNEL staining,and protein expression of PI3K and Akt in the right knee cartilage tissue was detected by Western Blot.Results:Compared with the sham-operated group,the model group showed a decreased MWT and significantly increased Lequesne MG behavioral scores,Pelletier scores,TUNEL-pos-itive expression,Mankin's joint pathology scores,and expression levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,PI3K,and Akt.Compared with the model group,MBYHWD treatment resulted in markedly improved therapeutic outcomes on HE staining,a signif-icantly increased MWT,and significantly decreased Pelletier scores,Lequesne MG behavioral scores,Mankin's scores,TUNEL-positive expression,and protein expression levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,PI3K,and Akt(P<0.05).The im-provement was more pronounced with higher concentrations of MBYHWD.Conclusion:MBYHWD can improve the patho-logical morphology of knee cartilage and alleviate joint pain in a rat model of KOA.Its potential mechanism of action may involve inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway,reduction of inflammatory cytokine release,and protection of bone structures.