Characterization and features of dampness-heat obstruction syndrome in rats with knee osteoarthritis based on "disease-syndrome-symptom" combination research strategy.
10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20241212.701
- Author:
Li-Li WANG
1
;
Teng-Teng XU
1
;
Xiao-Xiao WANG
1
;
Qun LI
1
;
Li-Ting XU
1
;
Wei-Heng CHEN
2
;
Chun-Fang LIU
1
;
Na LIN
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China.
2. Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Beijing 100029, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
"disease-syndrome-symptom" combination;
dampness-heat obstruction;
knee osteoarthritis;
papain
- MeSH:
Animals;
Male;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Rats;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology*;
Disease Models, Animal;
Humans;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*;
Knee Joint/pathology*
- From:
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
2025;50(7):1861-1871
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
A combination of the "disease-syndrome-symptom" approach was used to study the syndrome characterization and features of dampness-heat obstruction syndrome in papain-induced knee osteoarthritis(KOA) model rats during the disease process. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into sham and model groups. The KOA model was established by injecting a mixture of papain and L-cysteine into the joint cavity on days 1, 3, and 5. During the 8 weeks following model establishment, the rats were assessed weekly for the plantar mechanical pain threshold, knee joint diameter, local skin temperature of the knee joint, weight-bearing difference between the two hind feet, and the modified Lequesne MG score of the knee joint. Samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after model establishment to observe the gross lesions in cartilage and synovium. Histopathological changes in joint tissues were examined using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Senna red O-solid green staining. ELISA and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, prostaglandin E2(PGE2), and the expression of aquaporins(AQP) 1 and 3 in serum and synovium. The results showed that the ink score of articular cartilage in the model group significantly increased from 4 to 8 weeks, the cartilage Mankin's score and the percentage of Masson-positive area in cartilage increased significantly from 1 to 8 weeks. The percentage of red-stained area for cartilage proteoglycans decreased significantly from 1 to 8 weeks. The synovitis score from 1 to 6 weeks and the percentage of blue-stained collagen fibers in the synovium from 1 to 8 weeks increased significantly, with statistically significant differences compared to the sham group. The mechanical pain threshold in the model group significantly decreased from 1 to 8 weeks, the knee joint diameter significantly increased from 1 to 6 weeks, and the local skin temperature of the knee joint, the weight-bearing difference between the two hind feet, and the modified Lequesne MG score from 1 to 5 weeks significantly increased, all with statistically significant differences compared to the sham group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2 in serum and synovium of the model group significantly increased from 1 to 6 weeks. Serum TNF-α and PGE2, and synovial IL-1β, also significantly increased at 8 weeks. The levels of cartilage AQP1 and AQP3 significantly increased from 1 to 4 weeks, while synovial AQP1 and AQP3 increased significantly from 1 to 6 weeks, with all differences statistically significant compared to the sham group. In conclusion, papain-induced KOA rats exhibited pathological changes, including articular cartilage degeneration and synovial inflammation, within 1 week of induction. The KOA rats showed characteristics of dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, such as joint pain, swelling, elevated skin temperature, and decreased function, as well as increased inflammatory factors and AQP1、AQP3 in serum and joint tissues within 5 to 6 weeks of disease onset. These results provide an experimental model for studying the syndromes of KOA with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome.
