Effects of Tongluozhitong gel on frozen shoulder and expression in IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-3 in rabbits

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of TongLuoZhiTong Gel in the treatment of frozen shoulder model and the effects of frozen shoulder-related factors IL-1β,TNF-αandMMP-3 in rabbit.Methods:Twenty-four male healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into the following three groups:blank group(group A),model control group(group B),and TongLuoZhiTong Gel treatment group(group C).Except for the blank group,the rabbits were subjected to a frozen shoulder model by continuous mechanical strain and ice application.After the model was completed,both groups A and B were not treated;group C was treated with external application of TongLuoZhiTong Gel,5 times a week for 2 weeks.Two weeks later,the synovial tissue was abstracted in the frozen shoulder joint,and then observed under the light microscope after HE staining.The Krenn grading of chronic synovitis was used to evaluated the degree of inflammation of the synovium.At the same time,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-αand MMP-3 in serum and periarticular tissues of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:Compared with the blank group,the Krenn score of the shoulder group was significantly increased after model establishment(P<0.05),and the local skin was red and swollen,suggesting successful modeling.Compared with the model group,after two weeks treatment of TongLuoZhiTong Gel,the inflammatory infiltration of the synovial tissue sections was significantly relieved,and the Krenn score was significantly decreased(P<0.05).In terms of fibrogenic chemical factors and inflammatory chemical factors,TongLuoZhiTong Gel treatment group can significantly reduce the expression of IL-1β,TNF-αand MMP-3 in rabbit serum and periarticular tissue homogenate(P<0.05).Conclusion:TongLuoZhiTong Gel can effectively alleviate the synovial inflammation of the frozen shoulder model of rabbits,and can significantly reduce the levels of IL-1β,TNF-αand MMP-3 in the serum and surrounding tissues of rabbits.