Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect of Yiqi Huoluo(YQHL) formula on rheumatoid arthritis rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome based on the nuclear factor-κB ligand(RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B(RANK)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB) pathway.
METHODS Using the compound factor method combined with collagen induction to replicate collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rat model of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, the rats were divided into the model group, methotrexate group(0.21 mg·kg−1, twice a week), and YQHL formula low(9.45 g·kg−1·d−1), medium(18.90 g·kg−1·d−1), and high(37.80 g·kg−1·d−1) dose groups(n=8), with treatment lasting for 28 d, a blank control group was set additionally. The body weight, spleen index, arthritis index score and ankle swelling degree of rats were observed and recorded. HE staining and SO/FG staining were used to observe pathological changes in ankle joint; Micro-CT scanning was used to observe bone destruction in the ankle joint; transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes in the spleen; a fully automated coagulation analyzer was used to analyze changes in blood rheology; ELISA was used to detect changes in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) levels in serum; immunohistochemistry was used to detect recombinant cathepsin K(CTSK) and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9) protein expression in rat synovial tissues; Western blotting was used to detect receptor activator of RANKL, RANK, NF-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) protein expression in rat synovial tissues.
RESULTS Compared with the blank control group, the body weight of rats in the model group was significantly reduced, arthritis index(AI) scores and joint swelling were significantly increased, ankle joint synovial hyperplasia and damage to articular cartilage and subchondral bone were severe, red blood cell aggregation index, Casson viscosity, and whole blood viscosity were significantly increased, spleen index was significantly increased, and splenic mitochondrial damage was severe. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum were significantly increased, and the expression of CTSK, MMP-9, RANKL, RANK, NF-κB, and MAPK proteins in ankle joint and synovial tissue was significantly increased; compared with the model group, the rats showed increased body mass, significantly reduced AI scores and joint swelling, significantly improved pathological damage in ankle joint , significantly reduced red blood cell aggregation index, Casson viscosity, and whole blood viscosity, significantly reduced spleen index, significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum, and reduced expression of CTSK, MMP-9, RANKL, RANK, NF-κB, and MAPK proteins in ankle joint and synovial tissues. Moreover, the high dose group of the YQHL formula showed a significant therapeutic effect.
CONCLUSION YQHL formula can inhibit synovial inflammation in CIA rats with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, reduce AI scores, and suppress bone tissue destruction. Its possible mechanism is related to inhibiting the activation of the RANKL/RANK/NF-κB pathway.