Imaging Study on Acupuncture Inhibiting Inflammation and Bone Destruction in Knee Osteoarthritis Induced by Monosodium Iodoacetate in Rat Model

Abstract

We aim to explore whether acupuncture inhibits inflammation and bone destruction in rat model monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) and micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods: KOA was induced in rats by intra-articular injection MIA (2 mg/50 μL) through the right knee of the rats. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 280 to 340 g (12 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups including Control group, KOA group, KOA plus manual acupuncture group (KOA+MA), KOA plus sham acupuncture group (KOA +SA). The acupuncture treatment lasted for three weeks (one-day rest after six days of treatment). Paw withdrawal threshold test and open-field test were used to assess mechanical allodynia and locomotor activity respectively for once a week. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess the damage of the cartilage, synovium and infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). 18F-FDG PET was performed to quantify joint inflammation. The influence on the subchondral bone in these rats was confirmed by micro-CT. Results: Mechanical hyperalgesia, joint inflammation, and obvious bone destruction were observed in the KOA group. H&E staining of the knee joint found that manual acupuncture played a protective effect in cartilage, synovium and IFP destruction. However, compared with KOA group, the results in sham acupuncture had no significant difference. After manual acupuncture treatment in KOA rats, inflammation was significantly suppressed shown by 18F-FDG PET imaging. Micro-CT analysis of the knee joint revealed that manual acupuncture protected bone by inhibiting osteophyte development and subchondral bone remodeling. Conclusion:The results of 18F-FDG PET and micro-CT showed that manual acupuncture inhibited inflammation and bone destruction, which provides reliable evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in hindering development of KOA, and provides reliable evidence for clinical application of acupuncture.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Non-Pharmacological Therapies on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review of Clinical Application and Mechanism

“…A study showed that after injection of mifepristone into the knee joint of rats, there was obvious bone destruction in KOA model rats, the number and joint density of subchondral bone trabeculae decreased, and the bone trabeculae were sparse and disorderly distributed, while the bone destruction was significantly improved after acupuncture treatment, demonstrating that acupuncture can inhibit the development of osteophytes and subchondral bone remodeling. 82 …”

“…In addition, oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is also a key factor leading to chondrocyte apoptosis. 44 WNA can inhibit oxidative stress in cartilage of sodium iodoacetate induced KOA model rats, 45 mainly by reducing the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA) and NADPH-oxidase (NOX2) in cartilage tissue, and increasing the expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). MDA is a marker used to reflect the degree of oxidative stress damage, 46 and NOX2 is one of the main enzymes that promote ROS production and participate in the oxidation process.…”

“…A study showed that after injection of mifepristone into the knee joint of rats, there was obvious bone destruction in KOA model rats, the number and joint density of subchondral bone trabeculae decreased, and the bone trabeculae were sparse and disorderly distributed, while the bone destruction was significantly improved after acupuncture treatment, demonstrating that acupuncture can inhibit the development of osteophytes and subchondral bone remodeling. 82 Traditional Chinese non-pharmacological therapies inhibit subchondral bone remodeling by Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK signaling pathway. OPG is an important bone protective factor, produced by osteoblasts, which can not only inhibit the bone resorption of subchondral bone, but also promote the bone formation.…”

A Bibliometric Analysis of Acupuncture Treatment of Osteoarthritis over the past 20 Years: 2003−2022

“…To identify the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture, further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term acupuncture treatments are needed. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture can delay cartilage degeneration [35] and reduce inflammation and bone destruction [36], whereas electroacupuncture can delay cartilage degeneration and prevent cellular changes [37]. However, studies on cartilage degeneration and regeneration have been conducted on animals, with only few clinical studies being conducted on humans, and future research should thus involve clinical trials on acupuncture.…”

Dicoumarol attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome activation to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis in knee osteoarthritis

“…It has been reported that inflammation serves a key role in the pathogenesis of KOA (1,(9)(10)(11)(12). The activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome initiates the inflammatory cascade, and it is closely related to a number of types of chronic inflammation (13).…”