[Effects of kangfengshi granules on expressions of osteoprotegerin, RANKL and M-CSF in bone tissues of rats with collagen-induced arthritis].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of Kangfengshi Granules (KFSG) on expressions of the mRNAs of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in bone tissues of rats with collagen-induced arthritis.


METHODS
Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, untreated group, cyclosporine A (CsA)-treated group and KFSG-treated group. Except the rats in the normal control group, all the other rats received subcutaneous injection of collagen II to establish collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models. Then the rats in each group were fed normal saline or corresponding drugs for four weeks. Total RNA was extracted from carpal and digital bones. The expressions of OPG, RANKL and M-CSF mRNAs were examined by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
The total incidence of arthritis induced by collagen II in the rats was approximately 90%. The expression levels of RANKL and M-CSF mRNAs and the RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio in the untreated group, KFSG-treated group and CsA-treated group were all significantly higher than those in the normal control group, while the expression levels of OPG mRNA in those three groups were significantly lower than that in the normal control group. The expression level of OPG mRNA in the KFSG-treated group was obviously higher while the expression level of M-CSF mRNA and the RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio in the same group were both lower as compared with those in the untreated group.


CONCLUSIONS
The molecular mechanism of effects of KFSG on bone erosion and destruction induced by rheumatoid arthritis is closely correlated with up-regulating the expression of OPG mRNA, down-regulating the expression of M-CSF mRNA and RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio.
Liu
Yi-Heng
YH
Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital, Xioan Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710004, China. liuyiheng_xjtu@sohu.com
Zhang
Hai-Ying
HY
Zang
Hong-Min
HM
Cheng
Jun-Chang
JC
Li
Yan-Min
YM
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D024043:Collagen Type II; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D024043:Collagen Type II; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006023:Glycoproteins; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C506032:Tnfrsf11b protein, rat; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor