title: Protocatechuic acid benefits proliferation and phenotypic maintenance of rabbit articular chondrocytes: Anin vitrostudy.
abstract: Numerous antioxidants exhibit antiarthritic effects due to their inhibitory effect on inflammatory factors. Certain antioxidants, such as protocatechuic acid (PCA) and its analogs, have been reported to be effective in the treatment of arthritis. However, the effect of PCA on chondro-protection may be alleviated due to the induction of apoptosis, as has been demonstrated in stomatocytes. To clearly determine the effect of PCA on the biological and cellular metabolism of rabbit articular chondrocytesin vitro, examinations of cytotoxicity, proliferation and morphology were performed, in addition to analyses of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis and the expression of cartilage-specific genes. The results revealed that PCA effectively promoted chondrocyte growth, the synthesis of the extracellular matrix and the mRNA expression of aggrecan, collagen II and Sox9, while downregulating the expression of the collagen I gene, a marker of chondrocyte dedifferentiation. In addition, hypertrophy, which may result in chondrocyte ossification, was not detected in the groups. Among the doses (range, 0.05-0.3 mmol/l) of PCA that promoted the proliferation of chondrocytes, a concentration of 0.125 mmol/l produced the optimum performance. The results indicated that PCA, particularly at a dose of 0.125 mmol/l, accelerated the proliferation of rabbit articular chondrocytesin vitroand maintained their phenotype. This study may provide a basis for further research concerning the treatment of cartilage defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China ; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Like
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China ; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qingjun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China ; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, P.R. China ; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Standards, Guangxi Institute of Traditional Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Cuiwu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China ; The Medical and Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China ; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jinmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
keywords: dedifferentiation; polyphenols; prochondrogenic agent; proliferation; protocatechuic acid; rabbit articular chondrocyte