To observe the effects of Yanghe Decoction on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cartilage cells of osteoarthritis rabbits.
Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, untreated group and Yanghe Decoction-treated group. The rabbit model of osteoarthritis was established according to Hulth's method. The rabbits were sacrificed at the 8th week after administration of Yanghe Decoction for 14 days, and then rabbit tibia articular cartilage was removed. Sections of the cartilage were stained with Safranin O for histological examination. The cartilage histological characteristics were observed according to the method of Mankin. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the expression of VEGF. Articular cartilages were observed with microscopy and image analysis method was used to measure the expression intensity of VEGF.
There were significant differences in Mankin score between normal group and untreated group (P<0.01), and between untreated group and Yanghe Decoction-treated group (P<0.01). Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the expression intensity of VEGF in untreated group was significantly increased as compared with that in normal group (P<0.01), and also obviously higher than Yanghe Decotion-treated group.
VEGF plays an important role during early stage of OA. Yanghe Decoction can protect the articular cartilage through suppressing the VEGF expression in chondrocytes and then suppress angiogenesis.