Effect Of Electroacupuncture On BMP-2 / Smad1 Expression In Cartilage Of Experimental Rabbit Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective:To explore the mechanism about electro-acupuncture treatment of knee osteoarthritis(KOA) by observing the expressions of BMP2, Smad1in impaired cartilage from osteoarthritic rabbits after electro-acupuncture treatment.Method:Models of knee osteoarthritis were established with papain.The treatment group was treated with electro-acupuncture for20days. The normal group and model group were bred without treatment.Behavior scoring,right knee width,cartilage morphology,Mankin score and the expressions of BMP-2,Smad1using immunohistochemical and Real-time PCR methods were analysised.Result:The treatment group and model group showed no significant differences in behavior scoring,cartilage morphology and Mankin score(P>0.05).The treatment group showed significant lower right knee width compared with the model group(P<0.05).No significant differences of BMP-2protein lever were showed between each group.The treatment group showed lower Smad1protein lever compared with the model group.The model group and model control group showed no significant higher levels of BMP-2mRNA compared with the normal group(P>0.05).The model group showed higher levels of Smadl mRNA compared with the model control group and normal group(P<0.05).The treatment group showed significant lower levels of BMP-2mRNA and Smadl mRNA compared with the model control group and model group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The electro-acupuncture showed therapeutical effect,could delay the development of rabbit KOA by reducing BMP-2,Smad1levels.