To evaluate the effect of Xianzhong Injection into the articular cavity on the function of the joints and the content of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in rabbits with early knee osteoarthritis (OA).
120 rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: blank group, model group (injecting 0.5ml of normal saline, once a week), positive control group (injecting 0.5ml of sodium hyaluronate, once a week), Xianzhong group I (injecting 0.5ml of Xianzhong Injection, once a week), Xianzhong group II (injecting 0.5ml of Xianzhong Injection, twice a week). Changes of the articular function and IGF-1 levels in the serum and joint fluid were investigated 8 weeks later.
The function of knee joint in the Xianzhong group I and II was improved significantly as compared with that in the model group (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference between the Xianzhong group I and the positive control group (P>0.05), but a significant difference was seen between the Xianzhong group I and the Xianzhong group II (P<0.05); in the positive control group, the Xianzhong group I and the Xianzhong group II , the levels of IGF-1 in the joint fluid and serum were significantly increased as compared with that in the model group (P < 0.01).
Xianzhong Injection can improve the function of knee joint in rabbits with early knee OA, and can substitute sodium hyaluronate Injection for treating this disease.