title: Effect of Bushenhuoxue formula on interleukin-1 beta and discoidin domain receptor 2 levels in a rat model of osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of Bushenhuoxue formula (BHF) on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish an OA model and subjected to various treatments over 6 weeks. Rats were treated with BHF, glucosamine sulfate (GS), or starch as a control. Serum levels of IL-1β and MMP-1 and joint fluid levels of IL-1β were determined by means of ELISAs. We used immunohistochemistry to determine DDR2 levels in knee cartilage. Gene expression levels of MMP-1 in joint synovial tissue were assessed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-1β levels were unchanged throughout the study. Levels of IL-1β in joint fluid and MMP-1 in sera from the BHF- and GS-treated groups were significantly reduced. DDR2 levels in knee cartilage were also significantly reduced in the BHF group. Expression of the MMP-1 gene was significantly reduced by BHF treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BHF might be beneficial in the inhibition and alleviation of local inflammatory responses and cartilage degeneration in OA.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nianhu
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jianhui
authors.forename: Zhai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhanwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000070818:Discoidin Domain Receptors; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D000070818:Discoidin Domain Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1