title: [Effects of zhengqing fengtongning tablet and methotrexate on the serum OPG/RANKL and IL-17 of collagen-induced arthritis rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of Zhengqing Fengtongning Tablet (ZFT) and methotrexate (MTX) on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), and interleukin 17 (IL-17) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, thus addressing their bone protection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CIA rat model was established by intradermally injecting type II collagen emulsion from the rats' back and tail. Totally 28 successfully modeled rats [with the arthritis index (AI) more than 2] were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine (CM) treatment group, the MTX group, and the ZFT + MTX treatment group, 7 rats in each group. Another 7 rats were recruited as the normal control group. Rats were administered from the 7th day of modeling. Rats in the MTX group were treated with MTX at 3.8 mg/kg once a week. Those in the CM group were treated with ZFT at the daily dose of 130 mg/kg, once a day. Those in the ZFT + MTX treatment group were treated with both MTX (at 3.8 mg/kg once a week) and ZFT (at the daily dose of 130 mg/kg, once a day). Those in the model group and the normal control group were administered with normal saline of the equal volume by gastrogavage. All the intervention lasted for 26 days. The destruction of joints in the four limbs were observed using X-ray. The AI was recorded. The expression levels of serum OPG, RANKL, and IL-17 were detected at the end of the experiment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the whole process, all rats except those in the model group were in a good condition. On the 21st day of modeling the AI of all rats reached the peak, but it decreased after treatment. Compared with the model group, the AI decreased in the CM treatment group, the MTX group, and the ZFT + MTX treatment group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the OPG increased and RANKL decreased in the MTX group; the OPG and OPG/RANKL increased in the CM treatment group; the OPG, RANKL, and OPG/RANKL increased, and IL-17 decreased in the ZFT + MTX treatment group, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the MTX and the ZFT + MTX treatment group, OPG/RANKL increased and IL-17 decreased in the ZFT + MTX treatment group (both P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ZFT + MTX could synergistically elevate peripheral OPG/RANKL and down-regulate IL-17 in CIA model rats.
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Drum Tower Clinical Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing (210008), China.
authors: Cong-Zhu
authors: CZ
authors: Ding
authors: Yao
authors: Y
authors: Yao
authors: Yun
authors: Y
authors: Fang
authors: Ling-Yun
authors: LY
authors: Sun
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; C506032:Tnfrsf11b protein, rat; C540317:Zhengqing Fengtongning; D008727:Methotrexate