| Objective To observe the effect of the anti-swelling and analgesic mixture on the expressions of LC3, Beclin1, caspase-9, p-AMPK, and mammalian rapamycin target protein (mTOR) in the cartilage of the knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats, and to explore the intervention mechanism of the formation of KOA with the anti-swelling and analgesic mixture. Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the observation group (anti-swelling and analgesic mixture group), the control group (glucosamine sulfate tablet group), the model group, and the sham operation group (20 rats in each group). Except for the false operation, KOA model was established with modified Hulth method in the other 3 groups. After 8 weeks of continuous drug intervention, the cartilage of the knee joint was collected. Serum levels of IL- 6, MMP-3, and COX-2 were detected using ELISA method. The mRNA expressions of LC3, Beclin1, and caspase-9 in the cartilage of each group were detected with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Protein expressions of p-AMPK and mTOR in chondrocytes were detected with Western blotting. Results Compared with those in the sham operation group, the levels of IL-6, MMP-3, and COX-2 in model group increased significantly, the expressions of LC3, Beclin1, and p-AMPK were down-regulated, and the expressions of caspase-9 and mTOR were up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with those in the model group, the levels of IL-6, MMP-3, and COX-2 were down-regulated in the observation group and control group, and LC3, Beclin-2 were up-regulated significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion The protective effect of anti-swelling and analgesic mixture on KOA articular cartilage injury may be related to AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. |