Icaritin protects the ICMT-induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes via inhibiting Hedgehog signaling pathway

Abstract

Abstract:

AIM: To investigate the effect of icaritin on degeneration of endplate chondrocytes induced by intermittent cyclic mechanical tension (ICMT) and its mechanism in vitro. METHODS: Rat endplate chondrocytes degeneration model was established by using FX-5000T flexcell stress loading system in vitro. Three groups were erected: normal control group (NC group), ICMT group (10％intermittent cyclic mechanical tension ,10％ICMT, 0.5 Hz, 8 h/d), and ICT+ICMT group. The morphological alteration of the cells was observed with toluidine blue staining and phalloidin staining. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected respectively by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of chondrocyte-associated genes were detected by qRT-PCR and protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Degeneration of endplate chondrocytes was apparently observed after mechanical stimulation. In detail, cell morphology changed from polygon to long spindle after mechanical loading. The cell proliferation rates in ICMT group and ICT+ICMT group were higher than NC group. However, there was no significant difference between ICMT group and ICT+ICMT group. The apoptosis rate of ICT+ICMT group was significantly lower than ICMT group. Interestingly, treatment with icariin effectively alleviated ICMT-induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes, and significantly suppressed the Hedgehog signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Icaritin can efficiently protect the ICMT-induced cartilage degeneration by inhibiting the activity of Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Key words: icaritin, endplate chondrocytes, cell degeneration, Hedgehog signaling pathway

CLC Number:

R965.2

XU Yongming, XU Hongguang, GAO Zhi, ZHANG Xiaoling. Icaritin protects the ICMT-induced degeneration of endplate chondrocytes via inhibiting Hedgehog signaling pathway[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2017, 22(4): 373-380.

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