ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effect of radiofrequency heating on the morphology of articular cartilage in the knee and the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovium using a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods:Fifty-four male rabbits had OA induced in their right hind limbs using the modified Hulth method. They were then randomly divided into a model group, a cervus and cucumis polypeptide (CCP) group and a radiofrequency thermotherapy (RT) group, each of 18. The CCP group was injected with deer melon peptide intramuscularly every day, while the RT group was given daily radiofrequency hyperthermia treatment at 36.5-38.5 ℃. The model group was not provided with any special treatment. On the 6th, 12th and 18th day of the treatment, 6 rabbits in each group were sacrificed to resect the right femur′s medial condyle cartilage. The morphological characteristics of the cartilage were evaluated using modified Mankins scoring, while the contents of lL-1B and TNF-a in the synovial membrane were detected using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays.Results:The average Mankins scores and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α decreased significantly at each time point, and significant differences were observed among the three groups. In the RT group the average Mankins score as well as the IL-1β and TNF-α levels decreased significantly with time throughout the experiment.Conclusions:Radiofrequency hyperthermia is superior to the injection of deer melon polypeptide in knee osteoarthritis, at least in rabbits. The therapeutic mechanism may be related to the control of IL-1β and TNF- α levels in the synovial membrane.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of radiofrequency heating on type Ⅱ collagen expression in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis.Methods Knee osteoarthritis was induced in the right hind legs of 54 male rabbits using modified Hulth modeling.The rabbits were randomly divided into a model group which was not given any special treatment,a Lugua polypeptide group and a radiofrequency hyperthermia group.The Lugua polypeptide group was injected with Lugua polypeptide;the radiofrequency hyperthermia group was treated with radiofrequency irradiation.Six,12 and 18 days after the treatment,the morphological condition of the rats' right femoral medial condyle cartilages were evaluated using modified Mankins scoring and the type Ⅱ collagen content of the cartilage was detected using a quantitative PCR technique.Results At the same time points after treatment,the average Mankins scores were decreased in all the 3 groups,with that of the model group was significantly higher than those of both of the other groups,and the radiofrequency hyperthermia group's average score was significantly better than that of the Lugua polypeptide group.The average type Ⅱ collagen content was significantly increased in all the 3 groups to various extent (the radiofrequency hyperthermia group ＞ Lugua polypeptide group ＞ model group).For the radiofrequency hyperthermia group,the average Mankins score decreased significantly and the average type Ⅱ collagen content increased significantly as the treatment continued.Conclusion Radiofrequency hyperthermia is superior to Lugua polypeptide for treating knee osteoarthritis,at least in rabbits.Its therapeutic effectiveness may be related to a significant increase of type Ⅱ collagen in the cartilage.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia on the morphology of articular cartilage and any changes in serum-1 interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the process of knee osteoarthritis in rabbits.Methods Fifty-four male rabbits were selected and knee osteoarthritis was introduced to their right hind limbs using the modified Huhh model.They were then randomly divided into a model group,a cervus and cucumis polypeptide (CCP) group and a radiofrequency thermotherapy (RT) group,each of 18.The CCP group was injected with deer melon peptide intramuscularly.The RT group was given radiofrequency hyperthermia treatment.The model group was not provided with any special treatment.On the 7th,13th and 19th day of the treatment,6 rabbits in each group were sacrificed to resect the right medial femoral condyle cartilage.The morphological characteristics of the cartilage were evaluated using the modified Mankins score,while the content of IL-1βand TNF-α in the serum were detected using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISAs).Results At the same time points,the average Mankins score and the average content of IL-1βand TNF-α in the serum of the model group were significantly higher than in the CCP group,with the values in the latter group significantly higher than in the RT group.In the RT group,the average Mankins score,as well as the IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels in the serum,decreased significantly with longer treatment.Conclusion Radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia is superior to deer melon polypeptide in treating knee osteoarthritis,at least in rabbits.Its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the control of serum IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels.