Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction suppresses inflammation and bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis mice

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a chronic inflammatory and destructive arthritis, characterized by inflammatory infiltration and bone destruction. Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction(HGWD) is traditional Chinese medicine, which has been applied in the treatment of RA in clinical. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of HGWD on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mouse model.Methods: DBA/1J female mice were used to establish the collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model. HGWD was administered intragastrically once a day for four weeks starting on the 22nd day after the first immunization. The body weight, hind paw thickness and clinical score were measured every five days. Gait analysis, histopathological staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), ultrasound imaging and micro-computed tomography imaging were performed to determine the effects of HGWD treatment on inflammation and bone structure in this model. Moreover, Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect inflammatory factors m RNA and protein levels after HGWD intervention in RAW264.7 cells.Results: HGWD attenuated symptoms of arthritis, suppressed inflammatory synovium area and the serum levels of inflammatory factors, inhibited joint space enlargement in the knee and ankle joints,reduced numbers of osteoclasts, protected bone destruction, as well as improved motor function.HGWD decreased the expression of m RNA for inflammatory factors and the protein expression levels of p-NF-ΚB and IL-17.Conclusion: These results suggested that HGWD suppresses inflammation, attenuates bone erosion and maintains motor function in collagen-induced arthritis mice.

IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN CX43-KNOCK-OUT RATS

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） in Cx43 knock-out mice and its underlying immunological mechanism.Methods Heterozygote （Cx43^＋/-） mice （n=64） and wild-type （Cx43^＋/＋） mice （n=46） were used in the present study.CIA model was es- tablished by intracutaneous injection of bovine collagenⅡ（immunonization）.Acupuncture of Zúsānlǐ（足三里ST36） was carried out from the 4^th week on after the initial immunization,once a day for 3 weeks.Arthritis score and days of onset of CIA were recorded.Intracellular contents of Th subgroups of splenic lymphocytes were detected with flow cytometry.Results The incidence rate of CIA and arthritis score in Cx43^＋/- mice were significantly lower than those in Cx43^＋/＋ mice （P〈0.05）.In Cx43^＋/＋ mice,3 weeks after acupuncture treatment,the score of arthritis symptoms and signs in acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in model group （P〈0.01）,while in Cx43^＋/- mice,no significant difference was found between model group and acupuncture group in arthritis score （P〉0.05）.In comparison with control group,percentages of both Thl and Th2 and Th1/Th2 increased significantly in 0x43^＋/＋ CIA model group （P〈0.05）,while compared with model group,the percentage of Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 in acupuncture group decreased evidently （P〈0.05） or moderately,showing that acupuncture can effectively suppress arthritis-induced increase of Thl in Cx43^＋/＋ mice.In 0x43^＋/- mice,Th1 level and Th1/Th2 of CIA model group increased considerably in comparison with control group （P〈0.05）,while compared with model group,the Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 of acupuncture group had no significant changes （P〉0.05）,indicating that the effect of acupuncture in suppressing increase of Th1 percent and Th1/Th2 was eliminated.Conclusion Acupuncture of Zúsānlǐ（足三里ST 36） can effectively relieve CIA symptoms and signs and inhibit increase of splenic Th1 in Cx43^＋/＋ mice but has no any effect on CIA score,Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 in Cx43^＋/- mice.It shows the effect of acupuncture in improving CIA is closely related to Cx43 gene.

Effectiveness of Huai Qi Huang Granules on Juvenile Collagen-induced Arthritis and Its Influence on Pyroptosis Pathway in Synovial Tissue

Summary:Huai Qi Huang(HQH)exerts great effects in clinic,such as anti-inflammation,immune-regulation,anti-cancer,and so on.However,the mechanism by which HQH protects juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA)is obscure.Thus,we explored deeply the protective mechanisms in juvenile collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rat model.Pyroptosis is Gasdermin D(GSDMD)-dependent programmed cell death,involved in many diseases,such as sepsis.We investigated whether GSDMD-induced pyroptosis take part in mechanisms of juvenile CIA arthritis.Juvenile Wistar rats(3-4 weeks)were injected intradermally with fully emulsified bovine typeⅡcollagen and complete Freund's adjuvant to establish CIA rat models.Later,the CIA rats received oral administration of HQH(4.16 g/kg)once a day from the day 21 of modeling,with the treatment lasting for 28 days.Varieties of indicators were measured for evaluation of anti-inflammation effect of HQH,including hind paw swelling,arthritis scores,micro CT,and histopathological changes and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum,including tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-18(IL-18).The expression of GSDMD and caspasein the joint synovial tissues was detected.The results demonstrated that the expression of the pyroptotic protein GSDMD and its upstream caspase-1 was significantly increased in the synovial tissues of CIA rats.The treatment of HQH ameliorated the symptoms in CIA rats,reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hind paw swelling,down-regulated the expression of GDSMD and caspase-1.GSDMDinduced pyroptosis participated in the pathogenesis of CIA rats.The study supported that HQH can effectively improve joints inflammation of juvenile collagen-induced arthritis rats by inhibiting pyroptosis pathway in the joint synovial tissues.

Effects of Triptolide on the Expression and Activity of NF-κB in Synovium of Collagen-induced Arthritis Rats

Summary： The expression and activity of NF-kB in the synovium of collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） rats was detected in order to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of triptolide on rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. The experimental Wistar rat model of CIA was set up by intradermal injection of emulsion of bovine collagen 11 and the successful rate of setting-up models was evaluated by arthritis index （AI）. Rats were grouped randomly into three groups： normal, model and treatment group. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in synovial fluid was detected by ELISA, and the expression and activity of NF kB in synovium by immunohistochemistry method and by electrophoretic mobility shift assay （EMSA） respectively. As compared with normal group, the expression of TNF a and IL-6 in synovia （P〈0. 05）, and the expression and activity of NF-kB （P〈0.05） in synovium were increased in model group. There was statistical difference in above-mentioned indexes between model group and treatment group. Triptolide may play a protective role in IRA via downregulating the expression and activity of NF-kB in synovium.

Prediction of Response of Collagen-induced Arthritis Rats to Methotrexate： An ~1H-NMR-based Urine Metabolomic Analysis

Over one half the patients with rheumatoid arthritis （RA） are being treated with methotrexate （MTX）. Although well proven, the efficacy of MTX varies in individual patients. This study examined the metabolic biomarkers that can be used to predict the therapeutic effect of MTX by using metabolomic analysis. Rats were immunized with collagen to rapidly cause collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） and then treated with 0.1 mg/kg MTX for 4 weeks. The clinical signs and the histopathological features of CIA were observed to evaluate the therapeutic effects. Urine samples of CIA rats were collected, and analyzed by using 600 M 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance （1H-NMR） for spectral binning after the therapy. The urine spectra were divided into spectral bins, and 20 endogenous metabolites were assigned by Chenomx Suite. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the spectral pattern of endogenous metabolites related to MTX therapy. The results showed that the clustering of the spectra of the urine samples from the responsive rats （n=20） was different from that from the non-responsive rats （n=11）. Multivariate analysis showed difference in metabolic profiles between the responsive and non-responsive rats by using partial least squares-discrimination analysis （PLS-DA） （R2=0.812, Q2=0.604）. In targeted profiling, 13 endogenous metabolites （uric acid, taurine, histidine, methionine, glycine, etc.） were selected as putative biomarkers for predicting therapeutic response to MTX. It was suggested that 1H-NMR-based metabolomic analysis can be used to predict the therapeutic effect of MTX, and several metabolites were found to be related to the therapeutic effects of MTX.

Therapeutic Actions of the Chinese Herbal Formulae with Cold and Heat Properties and Their Effects on Ultrastructures of Synoviocytes in Rats of the Collagen-Induced Arthritis

The therapeutic actions of Qing Luo Yin (QLY清络饮) with heat property and Wen Luo Yin (WLY温络饮) with cold property on pain, swelling of the ankle, arthritis index and ultrastructures of synoviocytes were compared in rats of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), with tripterygium glycosidorum (TG) used as control. The results indicated that both QLY and WLY could reduce pain, swelling of the ankle and the arthritis index of CIA, and QLY had better effects in reducing the swelling of the ankle and controlling the secondary pathological lesions as compared with WLY. Investigation on the ultrastructures of synoviocytes indicated that both QLY and WLY could reduce the number of Golgi apparatus, rough surface endoplasmic reticulum, dense bodies, matrix filaments and vacuoles so as to suppress the excessive secretion of synoviocytes in rats of CIA.

Effect of Yangqixue Qufengshi Recipe (养气血祛风湿方) on Rheumatoid Arthritis Model Mice under Different Genetic Backgrounds

Objective： To study the effect of Yangqixue Qufengshi Recipe （养气血祛风湿方, YQXQFS） on rheumatoid arthritis （RA） model mice under different genetic backgrounds. Methods： Collagen Induced Arthritis （CIA） were established on HLA-DR4 transgenic （TG） mice and non-transgenic （NTG） mice, which partly were raised with YQXQFS, and the onset day of CIA, the level of type Ⅱ collagen （C Ⅱ ）-reactive antibodies and the pathological scores of CIA were assessed. Results： Under HLA-DR4 TG background （compared with NTG mice）, the earlier onset day of CIA （ 11.22±3.35 days vs 16.56 ±4.75 days, P〈0.05） and higher level of C Ⅱ-reactive antibodies （0. 2274±0. 1390μg/ml vs 0.1101±0. 0560μg/ml, P〈0.05） were observed, but the pathological scores of CIA remained unchange. YQXQFS could not influence the onset day of CIA and the level of C Ⅱ-reactive antibodies, but had a certain effect on the total pathological scores （6.56±3.43 scores vs 11.11±5.64 scores） and bone erosion （0.22±0.44 scores vs 1.67±1.50 scores） of CIA on NTG mice （P〈0.05）, NTG YQXQFS group compared with NTG experimental group. Conclusion： YQXQFS had a certain effect on RA model, but had no significant effect on HLA-DR4 related CIA.

Nuciferine alleviates collagen-induced arthritic in rats by inhibiting the proliferation and invasion of human arthritis-derived fibroblast-like synoviocytes and rectifying Th17/Treg imbalance

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a chronic autoimmune disorder marked by persistent synovial inflammation and joint degradation,posing challenges in the development of effective treatments.Nuciferine,an alkaloid found in lotus leaf,has shown promising anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects,yet its efficacy in RA treatment remains unexplored.This study investigated the antiproliferative effects of nuciferine on the MH7A cell line,a human RA-derived fibroblast-like synoviocyte,revealing its ability to inhibit cell proliferation,promote apoptosis,induce apoptosis,and cause G1/S phase arrest.Additionally,nuciferine significantly reduced the migration and invasion capabilities of MH7A cells.The therapeutic potential of nuciferine was further evaluated in a collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rat model,where it markedly alleviated joint swelling,synovial hyperplasia,cartilage injury,and inflammatory infiltration.Nuciferine also improved collagen-induced bone erosion,decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum immunoglobulins(IgG,IgG1,IgG2a),and restored the balance between T helper(Th)17 and regulatory T cells in the spleen of CIA rats.These results indicate that nuciferine may offer therapeutic advantages for RA by decreasing the proliferation and invasiveness of FLS cells and correcting the Th17/Treg cell imbalance in CIA rats.

Attenuation of Collagen Induced Arthritis by Centella asiatica Methanol Fraction via Modulation of Cytokines and Oxidative Stress

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-arthritic effects of Centello asiatica methanolfraction （CAME） on collagen-induced arthritis （ClA）, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Arthritis was induced in female wistar rats by immunization with porcine type II collagen. The CIA rats were treated orally with CaME （50, 150, and 250 mg/kg/day） for 15 d （beginning on day 21 of the experimental period）. The clinical, histological, biochemical, and immunological parameters were assessed. Results CaME treatment （150 and 250 mg/kg） significantly attenuated the severity of CIA and reduced the synovial inflammation, cartilage erosion, and bone erosion as evident from both histological and radiographic data. The escalated plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12 alongwith nitric oxide in CIA rats decreased significantly on CaME treatment. The serum levels of type-Ⅱ collagen antibody were significantly lower in rats of CaME （150 and 250 mg/kg） treated group than those in the arthritic group. Furthermore, by inhibiting the above mediators, CaME also contributed towards the reversal of the disturbed antioxidant levels and peroxidative damage. Conclusion Our results clearly indicate that oral administration of CaME suppresses joint inflammation, cytokine expression as well as antioxidant imbalance, thereby contributing to an amelioration of arthritis severity in CIA rats.

Danggui Niantong decoction ameliorates joint inflammation and cardiopulmonary injury in TNF-Tg mice

Objective:Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a common autoimmune disease characterized by multiple joint lesions and systemic complications.Danggui Niantong decoction(DGNTT)has been clinically used for RA treatment;however,its beneficial effect on cardiopulmonary complications has not been reported.Methods:Female tumor necrosis factor-transgenic(TNF-Tg)mice were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of DGNTT on arthritis and cardiopulmonary complications.Methotrexate(MTX)served as a positive control.Histopathological assessment of the joint sections was performed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE),Alcian Blue/Orange G,and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining.Bone mass was assessed by micro-computed tomography,inflammatory infiltrates in the heart and lungs were evaluated by HE staining,cardiopulmonary fibrotic injury was identified by Masson’s trichrome staining,and hypertrophy of mouse cardiomyocytes was measured by wheat germ agglutinin(WGA)staining.Results:DGNTT mitigated the inflammation of the ankle joint synovium,decreased the number of osteoclasts,and increased the area of cartilage and bone mass in TNF-Tg mice.In addition,DGNTT decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lung and heart tissues,accompanied by a reduction in cardiopulmonary fibrosis and myocardial cell hypertrophy in TNF-Tg mice.As a positive control drug,MTX attenuated the pathological changes in joints,but had no beneficial effect on cardiopulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in TNF-Tg mice.Conclusions:DGNTT improved joint lesions and alleviated cardiopulmonary complications in TNF-Tg mice.

蒙药三子汤治疗类风湿关节炎的药效学及网络药理学研究

目的:探讨蒙药三子汤对胶原诱导关节炎模型(collagen induced arthritis,CIA)小鼠关节的保护作用及其治疗类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)的作用机制。方法:以CIA小鼠为研究对象,通过关节炎指数评分及关节病理改变观察三子汤对CIA小鼠关节的保护作用。通过中药系统药理学数据库和分析平台(traditional Chinese medicines systems pharmacology platform,TCMSP)、Swiss Target Prediction数据库及DisGeNET数据库筛选得到三子汤治疗RA的潜在靶点;应用STRING数据库对潜在靶点进行蛋白-蛋白相互作用分析;应用DAVID数据库对靶点进行基因本体(gene ontology,GO)和京都基因与基因组百科全书(kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes,KEGG)富集分析;采用CytoHubba插件进行Hub节点筛选。结果:与模型组比较,三子汤组小鼠关节炎指数评分降低(P<0.05),关节滑膜增生、软骨侵蚀等明显缓解。共筛选得到三子汤活性成分32个,靶点629个,RA疾病靶点1317个,三子汤治疗RA潜在靶点171个;GO及KEGG分析结果显示靶点参与多种与RA相关的功能、生物过程及信号通路;Hub节点筛选明确三子汤治疗RA的关键信号通路为磷脂酰肌醇3激酶-蛋白激酶B(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B,PI3K-Akt)、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)、Ras信号通路,关键靶点为双重特异性促分裂原活化蛋白激酶激酶1(dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1,MAP2K1)、RAF原癌基因丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶(RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase,RAF1)、MAPK3。结论:蒙药三子汤可缓解CIA小鼠疾病进展;网络药理学分析三子汤可能作用于MAP2K1、MAPK3及其他关键靶点,调节PI3K-Akt、MAPK等信号通路,发挥关节保护作用。

Inhibitory Effect of the Extract of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht Root on Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice

Objective： To investigate whether the dried root of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht（Phellodendri cortex; PC） extract improves arthritic symptoms through anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects in collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Methods： Rheumatoid arthritis（RA） was induced in male DBA/1 mice by immunization with type Ⅱ collagen（ColⅡ）. CIA mice were divided into 5 groups（n=10 per a group） with normal, CIA control, PC extract（50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg）-treated, and meloxicam（50 mg/kg）-treated as the reference drug. The PC extract or meloxicam were administered orally in CIA mice once a day for 14 days after arthritis induction. Arthritic score, levels of anti-ColⅡ IgG2a antibody, prostaglandin E2（PGE2）, tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α, and interleukin（IL）-17 in the sera of CIA mice were measured. Histopathological changes in the ankle joints of CIA mice were also analyzed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin（H and E）, safranin-O and immunohistochemistry using anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-17 antibodies. Results： The arthritic score was increased in CIA mice in a time-dependent manner, as were the serum levels of anti-ColⅡ IgG2a antibody, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-17. However, the oral administration of PC extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg in CIA mice significantly decreased the arthritic scores, and the serum levels of anti-ColⅡ IgG2a, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-17 compared with those in the CIA group（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Furthermore, histopathological improvement of the joint architecture in CIA mice was observed after administration of PC extract. PC extract also significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-17 in the joints of CIA mice by suppressing the expression of their m RNA and proteins. Conclusion： PC extract may improve the pathological progression of RA through the inhibition of joint destruction by synovial inflammation and immune-stimulation, therefore, it would be a potential anti-arthritic agent in RA.

脏痹方治疗类风湿关节炎间质性肺疾病小鼠关节炎及肺脏并发症的疗效研究

背景类风湿关节炎间质性肺疾病(RA-ILD)是类风湿关节炎(RA)常见的并发症之一,严重损害了RA患者的生活质量及生存期。脏痹方在临床多用于RA经久不愈者,但其作用机制及对RA-ILD的疗效仍不清楚。目的探讨脏痹方在RA和RA-ILD中的治疗可能性和潜在机制。方法研究时间为2022年1月—2023年3月。将14只肿瘤坏死因子α转基因(TNF-Tg)小鼠随机分为生理盐水组(Saline组)、脏痹方组(ZBF组),每组各7只。同时随机挑选7只同窝野生型小鼠作为对照组(WT组)。ZBF组给予脏痹方灌胃(1.4 g/mL,1次/d,0.2 mL/次),WT组和Saline组小鼠给予等量0.9%氯化钠溶液灌胃,连续8周。干预完成后小鼠踝关节组织分别采用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色检测炎性细胞面积,阿尔新蓝-橙黄染色检测软骨面积、骨面积占比,抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色测量破骨细胞面积。小鼠肺组织分别采用HE染色检测炎性细胞面积占比,Masson染色检测肺纤维化情况,免疫荧光染色检测肺组织T淋巴细胞和B淋巴细胞面积占比。结果Saline组小鼠的踝关节内炎性细胞浸润明显增多,滑膜增生,关节组织被破坏。ZBF组踝关节的炎症减轻。Saline组小鼠炎性细胞面积占比高于ZBF组、WT组,ZBF组炎性细胞面积占比高于WT组(P<0.05)。Saline组小鼠踝关节距骨矢状面被严重破坏,骨侵蚀严重,ZBF组小鼠踝关节骨与软骨侵蚀明显改善,距骨矢状面轮廓逐渐清晰,骨量明显增加。Saline组软骨面积、骨面积占比低于ZBF组、WT组,ZBF组软骨面积、骨面积占比低于WT组(P<0.05)。Saline组小鼠踝关节中出现大片红色破骨细胞浸润,ZBF组小鼠破骨细胞浸润情况明显改善。ZBF组破骨细胞面积明显低于Saline组(P<0.05)。Saline组小鼠肺间质、血管和支气管周围弥漫有轻度至中度的炎性细胞浸润,中、小动脉壁增厚,肺泡间隔缩小,肺组织破坏明显;ZBF组小鼠肺间质和气管血管周围的炎性细胞减少,肺组织渐清晰,结构得到改善。Saline组炎性细胞面积占比高于ZBF组、WT组,ZBF组高于WT组。Saline组小鼠肺组织中血管和气管周围蓝色胶原纤维面积明显增多,肺泡或支气管壁增厚,ZBF组肺脏血管和支气管周围蓝色胶原纤维面积减少,肺脏结构改善明显。Saline组肺组织纤维化积分高于ZBF组、WT组,ZBF组肺组织纤维化积分高于WT组。Saline组小鼠肺组织T淋巴细胞、B淋巴细胞明显增多,大多围绕在肺脏血管和支气管周围,形成缺乏生发中心的卵泡样结构。ZBF组小鼠肺脏中的卵泡样结构减少。Saline组B淋巴细胞、T淋巴细胞面积占比高于ZBF组、WT组,ZBF组B淋巴细胞、T淋巴细胞面积占比高于WT组。结论脏痹方不仅减轻了RA-ILD小鼠的踝关节损伤,而且对其肺脏炎症和纤维化也有改善作用,减少了肺组织中的B淋巴细胞和T淋巴细胞数目。

雷公藤药蜡对胶原诱导关节炎小鼠模型关节炎症和骨侵蚀的影响

目的:探讨雷公藤药蜡对胶原诱导的关节炎小鼠(CIA小鼠)模型关节炎症和骨侵蚀的疗效。方法:将24只DBA/1J雄性小鼠随机分为3组,每组8只,分别为正常组、CIA组、雷公藤药蜡CIA组。除正常组外,其余各组采用牛Ⅱ型胶原诱导关节炎小鼠模型;另取DBA/1J雄性小鼠8只行急性皮肤刺激实验。雷公藤药蜡CIA组在第二次造模免疫开始行雷公藤药蜡治疗,观察各组小鼠关节炎肿胀程度、滑膜炎症及局部骨侵蚀情况。结果:皮肤刺激实验表明普通蜡疗及雷公藤药蜡对小鼠皮肤无刺激性;造模期间,CIA组、雷公藤药蜡CIA组逐渐出现关节肿胀,部分小鼠体质量增加不明显甚或稍见下降、近尾根部稍见脱毛、毛色稍暗淡,活动及饮食减少,其中雷公藤药蜡CAI组体质量下降稍小于CIA组,但与正常组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);雷公藤药蜡CIA组关节炎评分较CIA组降低(P<0.01);苏木精-伊红染色(HE染色)提示与CIA小鼠踝关节相比,雷公藤药蜡CIA组关节间隙稍见狭窄,关节破坏较CIA组减少,滑膜增生不明显,但关节周围有仍少量炎性细胞浸润。关节组织病理学评分雷公藤药蜡CIA组低于CIA组(P<0.0001)。结论:雷公藤药蜡能够明显减少滑膜组织的增生和炎性细胞的浸润,缓解关节的肿胀程度,减少对骨质的破坏,是一种简单、安全、有效的治疗类风湿关节炎的方法。

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of triptolide-loaded liposome hydrogel patch under microneedles on rats with collagen-induced arthritis

Triptolide (TP), a major active component of Triptelygium wilfordii Hook.F. (TWHF), is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it has a narrow therapeutic window due to its serious toxicities. To increase the therapeutic index, a new triptolide-loaded transdermal delivery system, named triptolide-loaded liposome hydrogel patch (TP-LHP), has been developed. In this paper, we used a micro-needle array to deliver TP-LHP to promote transdermal absorption and evaluated this treatment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TP-LHP in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The pharmacokinetic results showed that transdermal delivery of microneedle TP-LHP yielded plasma drug levels which fit a one compartment open model. The relationship equation between plasma concentration and time was C=303.59 x (e(-0.064t)-e(-0.287t)). The results of pharmacodynamic study demonstrated that TP-LHP treatment mitigated the degree of joint swelling and suppressed the expressions of fetal liver kinase-1, fetal liver tyrosine kinase-4 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1a in synovium. Other indicators were also reduced by TP-LHP, including hyperfunction of immune, interleukin-1/3 and interleukin-6 levels in serum. The therapeutic mechanism of TP-LHP might be regulation of the balance between Thl and Th2, as well as inhibition of the expression and biological effects of vascular endothelial growth factor. (C) 2015 Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Metabolomics study of biochemical changes in the serum and articular synovium tissue of moxibustion in rats with collagen-induced arthritis

Objective:To demonstrate the rheumatoid arthritis(RA)mechanisms by determining the biochemical changes.To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of moxibustion in RA-model rats using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)metabolomics approach.Methods:A total of 24 rats were divided into three groups as follows:normal control group,model group and moxibustion group.Rats in model group and moxibustion group were set up collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model.Rats in moxibustion group were treated by moxibustion.After 3 weeks of intervention,right ankle joint,serum and articular synovium samples were collected.Right ankle joint samples were used for histopathological evaluation between 3 groups to get the pathological changes of tissues and cells.Serum and articular synovium samples were used to analyze the changed metabolites of moxibustion on RA rats by the GC-MS based metabolomics.Results:Treatment of moxibustion not only significantly increased the weight of CIA rats,reduced the swelling of hind paw,arthritic scores,IL-1β,TNF-αbut also improved histopathological evaluation in right ankle joint samples.Sixteen significantly altered metabolites were found in RA rats as potential biomarkers of arthritis.Thirteen metabolites,significantly adjusted by moxibustion to help relieve arthritis,were selected out as biomarkers of antiarthritic mechanism of moxibustion,which were mainly involved in phenylalanine,tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis,glycine,serine and threonine metabolism,phenylalanine metabolism,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis.Conclusions:We have indicated moxibustion treatment is able to resist inflammation in CIA rats effectively.Using GC-MS metabolomics technique,we detect novel metabolites in the moxibustion antiarthritic process,which may aid in advanced understanding of arthritis and therapeutic mechanism of moxibustion.

Protective Effect of Norcantharidin on Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats

Objective： To observe the effect of norcantharidin（NCTD） on collagen-induced arthritis（CIA） rats. Methods： Sixty Sprague-Dawley（SD） rats were randomly divided into 6 groups（n=10）： normal group, CIA model group（model group）, NCTD low-dose group [1.35 mg/（kg·d）], NCTD middle-dose group [2.7 mg/（kg·d）], NCTD high-dose group [5.4 mg/（kg·d）] and methotrexate（MTX） group [1.8 mg/（kg/w）]. Anesthetized rats were sacrificed by luxation of cervical vertebra after 4 weeks of administration. The arthritis scores were evaluated twice a week. The pathological changes in the ankle joints of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（H＆E） staining. The serum levels of interleukin（IL） 1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α, vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）, IL-17 and transform growth factor（TGF） β were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. The mRNA expression of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor γ t（ROR γ t） and forkhead box P3（Foxp3） in peripheral blood lymphocytes were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results： MTX and high-dose NCTD not only decreased the arthritis scores but also alleviated the pathological changes in CIA rats＇ ankle joints compared with the model group（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. All doses of NCTD significantly inhibited the serum levels of IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in CIA rats（P〈0.05）. Only middle-and high-dose of NCTD prominently decreased serum IL-1β and TGF-β levels of CIA rats（P〈0.05）. However, NCTD has no effect on vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） level in CIA rats. The Foxp3 mRNA expression in all NCTD groups were increased significantly than in the model group（P〈0.05）. The mRNA expression of RORγt in NCTD high-dose group was decreased apparently in comparison with the model group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： NCTD showed therapeutic effect on CIA rats by inhibition of cytokines and regulation of Th17/Treg cells.

Marginal zone B cells are naturally reactive to collagen type II and are involved in the initiation of the immune response in collagen-induced arthritis

Antibodies against type II collagen(CII)are essential for development of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA),but how and where the B-cell response to CII is initiated is not fully known.We show here that naive DBA/1 mice display naturally reactive IgM and IgG anti-CII producing B cells prior to immunization.The CII-reactive B cells were observed in the spleen and recognized as marginal zone(MZ)B cells.After CII immunization,CII-specific B cells expanded rapidly in the spleen,in contrast to the lymph nodes,with the initial response derived from MZ B cells and later by follicular(FO)B cells.This was evident despite that the MZ B cells were subject to stringent tolerance mechanisms by having a greater Fc gamma receptor IIb expression than the FO B cells.Further,the MZ B cells migrated to the FO areas upon immunization,possibly providing antigen and activating FO T cells and subsequently FO B cells.Thus,around CIA onset increased numbers of IgG anti-CII producing FO B cells was seen in the spleen,which was dominated by IgG2a-and IgG2b-positive cells.These data demonstrate that CII-reactive MZ B cells are present before and expand after CII immunization,suggesting an initiating role of MZ B cells in the development of CIA.

Protective Effects of Overexpression TCR Vβ5.2-HSP70 and TCR Vβ8.2-HSP70 against Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats

Collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） is an animal model, which closely resembles human rheumatoid arthritis （RA） in pathogenesis and pathology. Evidence suggests that the inhibition of T lymphocytes or their functions can alleviate the progression of arthritis. So the administration of arthritogenic T cell receptor （TCR） variable region peptide or DNA vaccines encoding pathogenic TCR Vβ variable region may provide useful information for designing specific immunotherapies against autoimmune diseases. Heat shock proteins （HSPs） have the function of raising antigenic immunogenicity and HSP70 has a protective effect against arthritis. We previously demonstrated the presence of pathogenic predominant T cell receptor Vβ5.2 and Vβ8.2 clonotypes in the joints of CIA rats. In this study, we constructed the recombinant eukaryotic expression vectors pTARGET-TCR Vβ5.2/8.2-HSP70, and evaluated their protective effects on CIA rats. Protective effects were observed in CIA rats by injecting these recombinant DNA vaccines, which could alleviate arthritis index, decrease the levels of IFN-~ and anti-CII antibody in serum, and increase the levels of IL-4. Pathological changes were not as serious as those observed in control CIA rats. The rat injected with two combined vaccines showed better protective effects than CIA rats administered with individual vaccine. These results showed that recombinant DNA vaccines pTARGET-TCR Vβ5.2-HSP70 and pTARGET-TCR Vβ8.2-HSP70 could significantly alleviate the arthritic symptoms of CIA rats, and better protective effects could be achieved if these two vaccines were used in combination. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.

Therapeutic Effect of Dimethyl Dimethoxy Biphenyl Dicarboxylate on Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Rats

Objective： To study the effect of oral administration of dimethyl dimethoxy biphenyl dicarboxylate （DDB） on adjusting angiogeneic/inflammatory mediators and ameliorating the pathology of bones in rats with collagen-induced arthritis （CIA）. Methods： Wistar rat model of CIA was set up using bovine collagen type H. Fifty rats were divided into five groups randomly： normal, CIA model, DDB treatment, methotrexate （MTX） treatment, and combined DDB＋MTX treatment. Ankle joints of rats were imaged with digital X-ray machine to show the destruction of joints. Fore and hind paw and knee joints were removed above the ankle joint then processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining. Plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, platelet derived growth factor, interleukin-8 （IL-8）, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α）, and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nitric oxide levels were detected by Griess reagent. Results： Compared with the CIA model group, a remarkable reduction in various angiogenic （VEGF and IL-8） and inflammatory mediators （TNF-α, IL-4 and COX-2） after treatment with DDB either alone or combined with MTX （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Histopathological and X-ray findings were confirmatory to the observed DDB anti-arthritic effect. The DDB-treated group showed amelioration in signs of arthritis which appeared essentially similar to normal. Conclusion： Our data shed light on the therapeutic efficacy of DDB in experimental rheumatoid arthritis （RA） compared with a choice drug （MTX） and it may be offered as a second-line drug in the treatment of RA.