Study on mechanism of Ermiao powder in treatment of collagen-induced arthritis rats through ChAT/α7nAChR/NF-κB pathway
10.3969/j.issn.1000-484X.2025.02.019
- VernacularTitle:经方二妙散通过ChAT/α7nAChR/NF-κB途径治疗胶原诱导性关节炎大鼠的作用机制研究
- Author:
Yutong LI
1
;
Jingshu LIU
;
Zhen LI
Author Information
1. 山西中医药大学基础医学院,晋中 030619
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Collagen-induced arthritis rats;
Rheumatoid arthritis;
Ermiao powder;
ChAT/α7nAChR/NF-κB;
Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway;
Vagus nerve
- From:
Chinese Journal of Immunology
2025;41(2):374-380,386
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate therapeutic effect of Ermiao powder on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rats through ChAT/α7nAChR/NF-κB pathway.Methods:Fifty-six SPF female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control(NOR)group,CIA model(CIA)group,vagotomy(VAO)group,sham operation(SHO)group,Ermiao powder treat CIA rats(EMS)group,Ermiao powder treat vagotomy(EVAO)group and Ermiao powder treat sham operation(ESHO)group.CIA rats model was established in all groups except NOR group.Administration of drug began 7 days after unilateral vagotomy and sham operation,continued for 35 days.Body weight and joint condition of rats were recorded,and pathological morphology of spleen and joint tissues of rats were observed.Serum levels of IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α were detected,mRNA and protein expressions of ChAT/α7nAChR/NF-κB pathway core genes in joints were detected,and analyzed by immunohistochemical localization.Results:Compared with NOR/VAO group,body weight of rats in CIA group/SHO group was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),arthritis score was significantly increased(P<0.01),ankle joint was obviously swollen(with deformity),lymphoid white pulp and main germinal center hyperplasia in spleen were obvious,joint lacuna reduction(destruction)with inflammatory cell infiltration,serum levels of IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),mRNA and protein levels of CHRNA7,ChAT,IκBα and NF-κB p50/p65 were significantly increased and expressed in articular surface(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with CIA group/SHO group,body weight of rats in EMS group/ESHO group was significantly increased,arthritis score was significantly decreased(P<0.05),swelling degree of ankle joint was significantly reduced,white pulp and germinal center of spleen were significantly reduced,infiltration of inflammatory cells in articular surface was reduced,joint space was increased,serum levels of IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased,mRNA and protein expressions of CHRNA7,ChAT and IκBα were increased,while mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB p50/p65 were decreased,which were mainly located in articular surface.Compared with VAO group,rats in EVAO group had a significant reduction in body weight(P<0.05),serum level of IL-1 was significantly increased(P<0.01),and no significant difference in IL-6 and TNF-α contents(P>0.05),mRNA and protein expressions of CHRNA7,ChAT and IκBα were decreased,NF-κB p50/p65 expression was increased,and mainly expressed in articular surface.Conclusion:Ermiao powder may down-regulate NF-κB p50/p65 by up-regulating expression of α7nAChR by ChAT in CIA rats,thereby significantly reducing expression of inflammatory factors,relieving degree of inflammation and joint lesions,and finally achieving an effective treatment of CIA.
