A ultrastructural study of Touguxiaotong Granule on osteoarthritis rabbit model
FENG Fang-fang
LIN Ru-hui
CHEN Wen-lie
HUANG Yun-mei
HUANG Mei-ya
WU Guang-wen
LI Xi-hai
WU Zhui-le
YE Hong-zhi
LIU Xian-xiang
Abstract：Objective To explore the microcosmic mechanism of Touguxiaotong Granule ( TXG ) on ultrastructure in cartilage by observing cartilage and subchondral bone of TXG-treated rabbit osteoarthritis model with transmission electron microscope ( TEM ). Methods Eighteen New Zealand rabbits of 6-month old were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, the model group and the drug group. The knee osteoarthritis model was replicated using modified Hulth method. Rabbits in the drug group were applied 1 g · ml-1 TXG solution by intragastric administration. While rabbits in the control group and model group were given the same amount of 0.9% physiological saline by intragastric administration. All rabbits had been given the dosage of 20 ml · d-1 for 12 weeks. Obtained samples of tibia were observed by TEM. Results In the control group, the chondrocytes were characterized as subelliptic shape, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and mainly euchromatin in oval nucleus. Osteocytes appeared as fusiform shape and flat oval nucleus, with big karyoplasmicratio and scattered heterochromatin. Osteoblasts displayed prolate shape, rough endoplasmic reticulum and scattered heterochromatin. Compared with the control group, chondrocytes and nucleus in the model groups of osteoarthritis showed irregular shape, pyknosis and degeneration. The cellular organelles were fuzzy or unclear in the chondrocytes while the nucleus was accompanied by unevenly distributed heterochromatin. Irregular karyopyknosis and aggregated heterochromatin appeared in osteocytes. Osteoblasts appeared to be oval. The organelles were reduced and fuzzy and the patchy heterochromatin was under the nuclear membrane in irregular nucleus. Compared with the model group, chondrocytes in drug group were characterized as regular morphology with abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum. The nucleus of osteocytes showed subelliptic shape, scattered or partial aggregated heterochromatin. Osteoblasts showed elongated shape, expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum, and scattered heterochromatin in oval-like nucleus. Conclusions Touguxiaotong Granule can significantly improve the ultrastructure of the cartilage and subchondral bone in osteoarthritis. It plays an important role in the change of the nuclear chromatin and the rough endoplasmic reticulum which is involved in the synthesis of extracellular matrix components.
Keywords：OsteoarthritisMicroscopyelectrontransmissionDrug therapyChondrocytesOsteocytesTouguxiaotong granule
Publication Date：2016-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 129-133 )