To Explore the Mechanism of "Fuzi-Guizhi" for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis on the Basis of Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze and verify the main drug components and targets of "Fuzi-Guizhi" in the treatment of osteoarthritis by using the network pharmacology platform. METHODS: The integrated pharmacology of "Fuzi-Guizhi" was analyzed by using the platform of integrated pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine to explore its mechanism in the treatment of osteoarthritis. By establishing an arthritis model in vitro, the pharmacological effect of "aconitecassia twigs" on articular cartilage was evaluated and conducted for molecular docking. RESULTS: 28 candidate active components, 37 compound targets, and 583 osteoarthritis-related potential targets were screened, and 10 key target processes were screened in the protein interaction network model. Enrichment analysis showed that the 10 core targets involved 958 GO biologic function items and 76 KEGG signal pathways, which were mainly related to apoptosis and mitochondrial functional metabolism and "Fuzi-Guizhi" drug-containing serum inhibited the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA and protein in chondrocytes and promoted the synthesis of ATP. CONCLUSION: Our research is preliminary that the mechanism of action of "Fuzi-Guizhi" may inhibit chondrocyte degeneration by resisting mitochondrial apoptosis, and further experimental research is required to determine.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on the proprioception of athletes with functional ankle instability].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy differences between electroacupuncture and physiotherapy on the proprioception of athletes with functional ankle instability (FAD. METHODS: Fifty athletes with FAI were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a physiotherapy group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Jiexi (ST 41), Kunlun (BL 60), Qiuxu (GB 40) and Ashi acupoints, and the physiotherapy group was treated with low frequency electrical stimulation and infrared radiation at medial malleolus and lateral malleolus, thrice each week for consecutive 8 weeks. The Joint Position Sense: Active (JPSA), Joint Position Sense: Passive (JPSP) and Kinaesthesia (KT) were assessed at the ankle by use of Biodex System-III isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The JPSA of 11.090 +/- 3.1 degrees and the JPSP of 9.67 degrees +/- 2.8 degrees before the treatment reduced to 9.14 degrees +/- 4.0 degrees and 6.89 degrees +/- 3.3 degrees, respectively, after the treatment in the electroacupuncture group, with significant differences in JPSA and JPSP (both P < 0.05), compared with those in the physiotherary group, there were significant differences (both P < 0.05) and with no significant difference in KT (P > 0.05). There was no significant differences in the indices of JPSA, JPSP and KT in the physiotherapy group after 8 weeks than those before treatment (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the proprioception of athletes with FAI and achieves a superior efficacy as compared with the conventional physiotherapy.

[Study on correlation between connective tissue growth factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor and cartilage degeneration in the osteoarthritis chondrocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in osteoarthritis chondrocytes, and the relationship between CTGF, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and cartilage degeneration. METHODS: Ten New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the normal group and OA model group established by Hulth's method. Sections were stained with Safranin O for histological examination. The cartilage histological characteristics were observed according to the method of Mankin. Immunohistochemical staining was performed. Articular cartilages were observed with microscopy and the image analysis method was used to measure the expression intensity of CTGF and M-CSF in each group, and the correlations of the expression of CTGF, M-CSF and cartilage degeneration were analyzed by statistics. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the expression intensity of CTGF, M-CSF in untreated group was significantly increased as compared with that in the normal group (P<0.05). Statistical analysis showed that there was a correlation between the expression of CTGF, M-CSF and cartilage degeneration (r=0.634, r=0.542, P<0.01 respectively). CONCLUSION: The expression of CTGF and M-CSF protein is up regulated in osteoarthritis chondrocytes, which suggests that the activation of M-CSF is involved in the production of CTGF. CTGF and M-CSF play an important role in the pathogenesis of cartilage degeneration.