| Abstract: | AIM: To observe the effects of Qiancaofang fumigation on the expression of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and Smad3 in the cartilage of the rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Qiancaofang fumigation on the cartilage of the rats with KOA. METHODS: SD rats (n=32) were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group, model group, Chinese medicine group and hyaluronic acid (HA) group. The improved Hulth method was used to construct the rat model of KOA in model group, Chinese medicine group and HA group. The rats in Chinese medicine group were treated with Qiancaofang fumigation. The rats in HA group were treated with intra-articular injection of HA. After treatments, the cartilage tissues and serum of the rats in each group were taken. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Mankin's scores were measured. The expression levels of cartilage oligomefic matrix protein (COMP) and C-telopeptide of type Ⅱ collagen (CTX-Ⅱ) in the serum were detected. The method of TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to observe the apoptosis of the cartilage cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of YAP and high mobility group protein B2 (HMGB2). Western blot was used to detect the expression of YAP, Smad3, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), Bax and Bcl-2. RESULTS: The results of HE staining showed that the cartilage cells in model group were disordered and the structure was not clear. Compared with model group, the cartilage surface in Chinese medicine group was more smooth, the structure was clearer, and the staining of the cartilage matrix was more uniform. Compared with model group, the Mankin's scores in Chinese medicine group and HA group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the serum concentration of CTX-Ⅱ was significantly increased, the serum concentration of COMP was significantly decreased, and the apoptosis rate of the cells was decreased (P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that the expression levels of YAP, HMGB2, Smad3 and Bcl-2 were increased in Chinese medicine group and HA group, and the expression levels of BMP2 and Bax were decreased as compared with model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Qiancaofang fumigation relieves KOA partially through the YAP/Smad3 signaling pathway. |
