Objective To explore the effect of rehmanniae radix extract(RRE)on chondrocyte apoptosis in the rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)by regulating the miR-485-5p/heat shock protein 90 beta family member 1(Hsp90b1)axis.Methods New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned into control,KOA,low-dose RRE,medium-dose RRE,high-dose RRE,celecoxib,high-dose RRE+antagonist control,and high-dose RRE+miR-485-5p antagonist groups,with 12 rabbits in each group.Rabbits in other groups except the control group were modeled for KOA with the improved Hulth method.After modeling for 8 weeks,the rabbits were administrated with corresponding agents for 4 weeks.The changes in the activity rating of rabbits were recorded.ELISA was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin(IL)-6 in the serum.Safranine O-fast green staining was conducted to reveal the pathological changes in the cartilage tissue and Mankin scoring was performed.TUNEL was employed to detect chondrocyte apoptosis.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression of miR-485-5p in the cartilage tissue.Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of Hsp90b1,cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3),and Bcl2-associated-X(Bax)in the cartilage tissue.The dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to examine the relationship between miR-485-5p and Hsp90b1.Results Compared with the control group,the KOA group showed down-regulated expression of miR-485-5p,elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum,cartilage erosion and losses,and increases in activity rating,Mankin score,chondrocyte apoptosis rate,and protein levels of Hsp90b1,cleaved Caspase-3,and Bax(all P<0.001).Compared with the KOA group,RRE at low,medium,and high doses,and celecoxib up-regulated the expression of miR-485-5p,lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum,alleviated the pathological damage to the cartilage tissue,and decreased the activity rating,Mankin score,chondrocyte apoptosis rate,and protein levels of Hsp90b1,cleaved Caspase-3,and Bax(all P<0.05).Compared with the high-dose RRE group and the high-dose RRE+antagonist control group,high-dose RRE+miR-485-5p antagonist down-regulated the expression of miR-485-5p,elevated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum,exacerbated the pathological damage to the cartilage tissue,and increased the activity rating,Mankin score,chondrocyte apoptosis rate,and protein levels of Hsp90b1,cleaved Caspase-3,and Bax(all P<0.05).The results indicated that there was a targeted regulatory relationship between miR-485-5p and Hsp90b1.Conclusion RRE may inhibit the expression of Hsp90b1 by up-regulating miR-485-5p,thereby inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis in the rabbit model of KOA.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Chondrocytes/pathology* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/drug therapy* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), tumor necrosis factor like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Total of 103 patients with knee joint (knee osteoarthritis group) from February 2019 to August 2021 were selected including 40 males and 63 females with an average age of (62.02±6.09) years;according to the modified Mankin score, 103 patients were divided into mild group (Mankin score 1-4 points, 31 cases) and moderate group (Mankin score 5-8 points, 40 cases) and severe group (Mankin score ≥9, 32 cases). Another 105 physical examination volunteers were selected as the control group including 46 males and 59 females with an average age of (62.11±6.34) years old. The levels of SIRT1 and TWEAK in articular effusion and serum were detected in the knee osteoarthritis group, while serum SIRT1 and TWEAK were detected in the control group only. The relationship between SIRT1, TWEAK and the occurrence and disease of knee osteoarthritis were analyzed. RESULTS: Articular cavity fluid TWEAK, serum TWEAK, CRP, IL-6, IL-1β, white blood cell count and ESR were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05), articular cavity fluid SIRT1 and serum SIRT1 were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05). TWEAK level in the severe group was higher than that in the moderate and mild groups(P<0.05), SIRT1 was lower than that in the moderate and mild groups (P<0.05). The level of SIRT1 in articular cavity effusion was positively correlated with the serum level of SIRT1 (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with CRP, IL-6, IL-1β, white blood cell count, modified Mankin score and ESR (P<0.05). TWEAK level in articular cavity fluid was positively correlated with serum TWEAK level (P<0.05), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1β, white blood cell count, modified Mankin score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) (P<0.05). Body mass index, undertaking heavy physical work, and articular cavity fluid TWEAK were risk factors for the occurrence of knee osteoarthritis(P<0.05), and articular cavity fluid SIRT1 was a protective factor for the occurrence of knee arthritis (P<0.05). The area under curve(AUC) of SIRT1 and TWEAK for knee osteoarthritis was 0.641 and 0.653, and the AUC of SIRT1 and TWEAK for knee osteoarthritis was 0.879, which was higher than SIRT1 and TWEAK alone (z=6.105 and 6.225, P<0.05). CONCLUSION The level of SIRT1 in articular fluid in patients with knee arthritis is decreased and the level of TWEAK is increased. Low SIRT1 and high TWEAK are associated with the onset and exacerbation of knee osteoarthritis.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Apoptosis ; Interleukin-6 ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology* ; Sirtuin 1/blood* ; Cytokine TWEAK/blood*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sIL-2Rα, sCD25) in serum for the determination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from 108 patients with RA, 39 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 50 healthy control subjects, and synovial fluids were from 40 patients with RA. The sera from the patients with RA, the disease control group (osteoarthritis), the healthy control group, and the synovial fluids of the RA patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of the patients with RA were recorded and the correlation with the serum sCD25 level was analyzed. RESULTS: The serum sCD25 concentration in RA group was (2 886±1 333) ng/L, the serum sCD25 concentration in OA group was (2 090±718) ng/L, and the serum sCD25 concentration in healthy group was (1 768±753) ng/L. The serum sCD25 level in the patients with RA was significantly higher than that in the disease controls and healthy controls (P<0.001). Sensitivity of serum sCD25 in the diagnosis of RA was 66.1% and specificity was 83.0%;serum sCD25 levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.321, P=0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.446, P<0.001), DAS28 score (r=0.324, P<0.001), joint tenderness count (r=0.203, P=0.024), D-dimer levels (r=0.383, P<0.001), age (r=0.24, P=0.007), IgG (r=0.207, P=0.028), HRF-IgG (r=0.345, P=0.034) showed a significant positive correlation, and disease duration (r=-0.206, P=0.021) showed a negative correlation with sCD25;In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 were 14.3% (2 cases), 14.3% (2 cases), and 71.4% (10 cases) in the low disease activity group. The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP and sCD25 in the moderate disease activity group were 94.2% (49 cases), 82.7% (43 cases), and 86.5% (45 cases). The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 in the high disease activity group were 100% (42 cases), 95.2% (40 cases), and 90.5% (38 cases);36 cases of ESR and/or CRP were negative (about 33.3%) in 108 patients, serum sCD5 levels of 17 cases in these 36 cases (about 47.2%)increased, of which 14 cases (about 82.4%) had a DAS28 score higher than 3.2. CONCLUSION The serum sCD25 has a high specificity for diagnosis of RA and a poor sensitivity. The serum level is closely related to the activity of RA, indicating that sCD25 may be involved in the inflammatory process of RA and may become a new inflammatory marker of RA. It is more meaningful for detection of serum sCD25 when RA is active, but ESR and/or CRP is negative.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/analysis* ; Osteoarthritis ; Synovial Fluid/chemistry*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Ermiao Recipe (, EMR) with medicinal guide Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (APR) on the homing of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to focal zone in osteoarthritis (OA) rats.

METHODSForty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operated, model, EMR, and EMR plus APR groups (12 rats in each group). The OA rat model was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscus resection. All rats were injected with recombinant human granulocyte colonystimulating factor [rhG-CSF, 30 μg/(kg·d) for continuous 7 days], and rats in the EMR and EMR plus APR groups were treated with EMR or EMR plus APR at 1.6 or 1.9 g/(kg·d) for 3 or 6 weeks, respectively. Cartilage histopathologic changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Chondrocytes apoptosis and cartilage matrix components were tested by transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling assay and special staining. Interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or radioimmunoassay assay. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34), and stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) were measured by immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTSEMR and EMR plus APR significantly inhibited articular cartilage damage and synovium inflammation in OA rats at 3 or 6 weeks of treatment, the most obvious changes in these parameters were found in the EMR plus APR group. At 6 weeks, compared with EMR treatment, EMR plus APR remarkably inhibited chondrocytes apoptosis and the release of IL-1β and TNF-α, obviously decreased MMP-13 expression, and significantly increased expressions of proteoglycan, collagen, type II collagen and TIMP-1, serum levels of BMP-2 and TGF-β1 as well as expressions of BrdU, CD34 and SDF-1 in cartilage articular (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe medicinal guide APR improved the therapeutic effects of EMR on OA rats by promoting directional homing of BMSCs to focal zone.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; blood ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Knee Joint ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; blood ; Osteoarthritis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Membrane ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the metabolic, regulatory and anti-oxidative effects of modified Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BSHXD), a Chinese herbal medicine for kidney (Shen)-reinforcement and blood-activation, on an osteoarthritis (OA) rabbit model.

METHODSA rabbit model for knee joint OA was established by the classic Hulth's method. The OA model rabbits were randomized into 5 groups: the model control group, the positive control group treated with glucosamine sulfate, and the three BSHXD treated groups treated respectively with low, moderate, and high doses of BSHXD. In addition, a normal control group and a sham-operated group were set up. Experimental animals were sacrificed after a 7-week treatment, and pathological changes in cartilaginous tissue were estimated using the Mankin criteria. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents in blood serum and urine, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content in blood serum and knee joint synovial homogenates were detected.

RESULTSMankin scoring showed insignificant statistical differences between the various treatment groups (P >0.05), but all were better than the model control group (P <0.05). Serum and urinary contents of Hyp and MDA as well as serum and synovial levels of NO were significantly lower, but the SOD activity in blood serum and synovial tissue was higher in the BSHXD treated groups than in the model group P <0.01); the effect of BSHXD was dose-dependent to some extent.

CONCLUSIONThe modified BSHXD shows an effect of improving cartilage metabolism in experimental rabbits with OA, and possesses osteo-chondric protective effects in antagonizing peroxidation injury.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cartilage, Articular ; drug effects ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxyproline ; blood ; urine ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Osteoarthritis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Synovial Membrane ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing T helper (Th) 17 cells are considered as a new subset of cells critical to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate the distribution of Th1 and Th17 cells and their association with disease activity, and determine the Th17-related cytokine levels in the peripheral blood of RA patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 55 RA and 20 osteoarthritis (OA) patients were stimulated with mitogen, and the distributions of CD4+Interferon (INF)+IL-17- (Th1 cells) and CD4+INF-IL-17+ (Th17 cells) were examined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured by ELISA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded. The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) was also assessed. RESULTS: The median percentage of Th17 cells was higher in RA patients than in OA patients (P=0.04), and in active than in inactive RA (P=0.03), whereas that of Th1 cells was similar in both groups. Similarly, the levels of IL-17, IL-21, and IL-23 were detected in a significantly higher proportion of RA patients than OA patients and the frequencies of detectable IL-6, IL-17, and IL-21 were higher in active RA than in inactive RA group. The percentage of Th17 cells positively correlated with the DAS28, ESR, and CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines play an important role in RA pathogenesis and that the level of Th17 cells in peripheral blood is associated with disease activity in RA.
Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood/metabolism/*pathology ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Cytokines/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis/blood/metabolism/pathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Th1 Cells/cytology/immunology/metabolism ; Th17 Cells/*cytology/immunology/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study reverse effect of the oxidative damage on cartilage cells of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPS), and to investigate the main mechanism of VAPS to protect cartilage cells through antioxidant.

METHODSFifteen Japanese white rabbits of 5-month-old were selected in this study. Animal model was established by method of Hulth osteoarthritis animal model. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament were cut off and medial meniscus were cut, articular cartilage cell cultured in vitro. Cells in the sham operation group was the normal control group, osteoarthritis cartilage cells in the model groups were added VAPS 6.25, 12.5, 25 microg/ml respectively. A group of animals were sacrificed every week form the ninth weeks(two months) and the cartilage cells were isolated and cultured. For 8 weeks,the reactive oxygen species level in chondrocytes were detected by DCFH-DA, the content of NO, SOD and GSH-Px in cell culture supernatant were detected by Griess method.

RESULTSDCFH-DA detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species was (5.46 +/- 0.46)in the control group, (12.08 +/- 0.74) in the model groups. The model group compared with the control group by t test with the P value less than < 0.001. DCFH-DA detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species was (9.81 +/- 0.59)in VAPS 6.25 microg/ ml group, (7.83 +/- 0.63) in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (6.89 +/- 0.71) in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, as compared with model group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The content of NaNO2, SOD and GSH-Px in osteoarthritis model group was (5.60 +/- 0.45) microM, (38.56 +/- 12.53) U/ml and (151.90 +/- 25.60) U, as compared with control group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.001, P < 0.05); The content of NaNO2 was (4.34 +/- 0.39), M in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (3.67 +/- 0.36) microM in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (3.20 +/- 0.27) microM in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, as compared with model group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). The content of SOD was (49.91 +/- 5.77) U/ml in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (54.05 +/- 5.27) U/ml in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (57.44 +/- 5.70) U/ml in the VAPS 25 microg/mL group, as compared with model group there was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The content of GSH-Px was (172.50 +/- 18.65) U in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (202.10 +/- 21.60) U in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (315.80 +/- 10.50) U in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, the VAPS 12.5 microg/mL group and VAPS 25 microg/ml group was compared with model group, there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe VAPS have antioxidative damage effect of osteoarthritis cartilage cells within a certain range and dose-dependent manner. It may be the main mechanism for velvet antler polypeptides to treat osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; Cartilage ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Osteoarthritis ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

The interleukin-33 (IL-33)/ST2 pathway has emerged as an intercellular signaling system that participates in antigen-allergen response, autoimmunity and fibrosis. It has been suggested that IL-33/ST2 signaling has been involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because IL-33 and its receptor have been specifically mapped to RA synovium. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of IL-33 and sST2 in sera and synovial fluids in patients with RA. The serum level of IL-33 was significantly higher in patients with RA (294.9 +/- 464.0 pg/mL) than in healthy controls (96.0 +/- 236.9 pg/mL, P = 0.002). The synovial fluid level of IL-33 was significantly higher in RA patients than in osteoarthritis patients. The level of serum sST2 was higher in RA patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.042). A significant relationship was found between the levels of IL-33 and IL-1beta (r = 0.311, P = 0.005), and IL-33 and IL-6 (r = 0.264, P = 0.017) in 81 RA patients. The levels of IL-33, sST2 and C-reactive protein decreased after conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs treatment in 10 patients with treatment-naive RA. Conclusively, IL-33 is involved in the pathogenesis of RA and may reflect the degree of inflammation in patients with RA.
Adult ; Aged ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood/drug therapy/*pathology ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/analysis/blood ; Interleukin-6/analysis/blood ; Interleukins/*analysis/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis/blood/pathology ; Receptors, Cell Surface/*analysis/blood ; Synovial Fluid/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between cytokine levels and the pathological changes under arthroscopy in knee osteoarthritis of Blood Stasis type.

METHODSFrom 2009.2 to 2010.3, 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were reviewed. Among the patients, 17 patients were male and 73 patients were female, ranging in age from 40 to 70 years, averaged 57.2 years, the duration of the disease ranged from 1 month to 10 years, with a mean of 3.4 years. Thirty-one patients had osteoarthritis in left knee, and 59 patients in right knee. The patients had the syndrome of blood stasis. All the patients had pain and morning stiffness; most patients had joint interlocking; and all the patients didn't have joint swelling. The synovial fluid was collected before surgery, and ELISA was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1beta and transforming growth factor-beta1. At the same time, the pathological changes of the joint were observed under the arthroscopy. Based on the above datum analysis, the severity of knee osteoarthritis of blood stasis type was studied, and the correlation between different types of pathological changes under arthroscopy and cytokine levels was analyzed.

RESULTSThe contents of IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 in synovial fluid were (28.18 +/- 5.57) pg/ml and (51.69 +/- 6.56) pg/ml respectively. The level of IL-1beta of grade III-IV cartilage degeneration was (30.65 +/- 3.48) pg/ml, which was significantly higher than (20.55 +/- 3.50) pg/ml of grade I-II cartilage degeneration group; the level of TGF-beta1 of grade I-II cartilage degeneration was (58.18 +/- 3.98) pg/ml,which was significantly higher than (49.59 +/- 5.83) pg/ml of grade II-IV cartilage degeneration group. IL-1beta and cartilage degeneration was positively correlated, the correlation coefficient was 0.744; TGF-beta1 and cartilage degeneration was negatively correlated, the correlation coefficient was -0.563. The level of IL-1beta of grade II-III synovial hyperplasia was (33.48 +/- 2.95) pg/ml, which was significantly higher than (25.40 +/- 4.50) pg/ml of grade I synovial hyperplasia group; IL-beta was positively correlated with synovial hyperplasia, the cor- relation coefficient was 0.801. The levels of IL-1beta of grade I osteophyte formation was (34.18 +/- 2.69) pg/ml, which was significantly higher than (25.74 +/- 4.48) pg/ml of grade 0 osteophyte formation group; the level of TGF-beta 1 of grade 0 osteophyte formation was (53.11 +/- 6.78) pg/ml, which was higher than (48.21 +/- 4.47) pg/ml of grade I osteophyte formation group. IL-1beta was positively correlated with osteophyte formation, the correlation coefficient was 0.762; TGF-beta1 was negatively correlated with osteophyte formation, the correlation coefficient was - 0.340.

CONCLUSIONAll the patients with knee osteoarthritis identified as blood stasis syndrome have pathological changes such as articular cartilage degeneration and synovial hyperplasia. The level of IL-1beta has important reference value to estimate the severity of cartilage degeneration, synovial hyperplasia and osteophyte proliferation.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroscopy ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; classification ; immunology ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo determine the levels of CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in serum and synovial fluid (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their relations with disease activity and medication.

METHODSCCL5 in serum and SF was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 28 RA patients and 21 osteoarthritis (OA) patients. In RA patients, the correlations of CCL5 levels in serum and SF with disease activity were analyzed. Meanwhile, the serum CCL5 levels among RA patients treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Tripterygium Glucosides, and other Chinese herbs without disease-modifying effects were also compared.

RESULTSCCL5 levels in both serum and SF of RA patients were significantly higher than those of OA patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, the level of CCL5 was higher in SF than that in serum of RA patients (P < 0.01). Serum CCL5 level was correlated significantly with the number of swollen joints (r = 0.3329, P < 0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.4001, P < 0.05), and C reactive protein (r = 0.3735, P < 0.01). In addition, the level of CCL5 had a trend of lower in patients treated with DMARDs or Tripterygium Glucosides than those treated with other Chinese herbs, although the difference was not significant among those patients due to the small number of patients in each group.

CONCLUSIONSIn RA patients, the expression of CCL5 increases and correlates with some clinical and laboratory parameters of RA, which indicate that CCL5 plays an important role in RA and may serve as a useful marker of disease activity. DMARDs and Tripterygium Glucosides might exert their clinical effects through reducing CCL5 production in RA.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL5 ; analysis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis ; blood ; metabolism ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism ; Young Adult