Study on mechanism of electroacupuncture inhibition of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in reducing pain in rats with knee osteoarthritis
10.3760/cma.j.cn115398-20250217-00206
- VernacularTitle:电针抑制NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路减轻膝骨关节炎大鼠疼痛的机制研究
- Author:
Fang FENG
1
;
Aimin ZHANG
;
Hongchen HE
Author Information
1. 四川大学华西医院康复医学科，成都 610047
- Keywords:
Electroacupuncture;
Osteoarthritis, knee;
Pain;
NF-κB;
Rats
- From:
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;47(11):1553-1560
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the relief effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.Methods:SD rats were divided into a blank control group, a model group, an electroacupuncture group, and an electroacupuncture+PMA group using a random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank control group, all other groups were used to prepare KOA models. After successful modeling, rats in the electroacupuncture group and electroacupuncture+PMA group were subjected to electroacupuncture stimulation on both sides of the "Yanglingquan"(GB34), "Neixiyan"(EX LE4), and "Waixiyan"(EX-LE5); the electroacupuncture+PMA group received intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg PMA once a day for 11 consecutive days of intervention; the blank control group and model group did not receive any intervention. Thermal foot contraction latency (TWL) and mechanical foot contraction threshold (MWT) were detected. HE staining was used to observe the inflammation and damage of synovial tissue and knee articular cartilage tissue. ELISA was used to detect the levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), pain mediator substance P (SP) and IL-6 in serum. The expressions of CGRP, iNOS proteins in dorsal root ganglion were detected by immunofluorescence assay. The expressions of CGRP, iNOS, p-p65/p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC proteins in dorsal root ganglia were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the TWL and MWT of the rats in the electroacupuncture group (3, 6, 9 and 11 days) significantly increased ( P<0.05), the pathological damage of synovial tissue and knee articular cartilage tissue were reduced, serum CGRP, SP, IL-6 levels significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of CGRP, iNOS, p-p65/p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC proteins in dorsal root ganglion significantly decreased ( P<0.05); PMA significantly inhibited the effect of electrolysis on KOA rats ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture can alleviate pain symptoms in KOA rats, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
