Effects of acupotomy on activity, apoptosis, and autophagy of primary chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis rabbits
XIU Zhongbiao1 LIU Hong1 ZHANG Liangzhi1 LIU Jing1 LIN Qiaoxuan2 LU Liming3 GUO Zexing3 YANG Jinsuo3#br#
1.The First Department of Orthopedics-traumatology, the People’s Hospital Affiliated of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350004, China;
2.Department of Orthopedics-traumatology, the Third People’s Hospital of Fujian Province, Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350122, China;
3.College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350122, China;
4.Department of Orthopedics-traumatology, Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350003, China
Abstract Objective To observe the effects of acupotomy on chondrocyte activity, apoptosis, and autophagy in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Twenty-four healthy six-month-old male New Zealand rabbits with body weight of (2.5±0.5) kg were divided into blank group, model group, and acupotomy group by random number table method, with eight rabbits in each group. Model group and acupotomy group were used to prepare KOA rabbit model by modified Videman method, and fixed for six weeks. Blank group was not processed. The model was evaluated by X-ray examination. In acupotomy group, common tendons were selected for acupotomy release, once a week, a total of four times. The blank and model groups were not processed. One week after the intervention, primary chondrocytes were extracted from the cartilage surface of the femoral medial and lateral condyles of the rabbit left knee joint, and the cell activity was detected by CCK-8. Apoptosis rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining flow cytometry. LC3B immunofluorescence staining was used to detect autophagy. Results The comparison of cell activity at each time point in three groups were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05). The cell viability in the model group was lower than that in the blank group, and the cell viability in the acupotomy group was higher than that in the model group at the same time (P ＜ 0.05). The chondrocyte apoptosis rate in the model group was higher than that in the blank group (P ＜ 0.05), and the chondrocyte apoptosis rate in the acupotomy group was lower than that in the model group (P ＜ 0.05). Compared with the blank group, the fluorescence intensity of LC3B in the model group decreased; compared with the model group, the fluorescence intensity of LC3B in the needle knife group was enhanced. Conclusion Based on the balance theory of muscles and bones through the tendon system, acupotomy can enhance the autophagy level of primary chondrocytes in KOA rabbits, improve cell activity and reduce cell apoptosis.
XIU Zhongbiao1 LIU Hong1 ZHANG Liangzhi1 LIU Jing1 LIN Qiaoxuan2 LU Liming3 GUO Zexing3 YANG Jinsuo3. Effects of acupotomy on activity, apoptosis, and autophagy of primary chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis rabbits[J]. 中国医药导报, 2022, 19(18): 123-127.
