[Effect of parthenolide on serum expressions of interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the therapeutic effect of parthenolide (PTL) on rabbit knee arthritis (KOA) and its effects on serum expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODS

Eight rabbits were randomly selected from 40 healthy pure-bred New Zealand rabbits as the normal control group. The KOA model was established in the rest 32 rabbits by plaster cast fixation of the right hind limb extension position. After modeling they were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the model control group, the high dose PTL group, the middle dose PTL group, and the low dose PTL group, 8 in each group. Serum contents of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha concentration decreased in the 3 PTL groups (P < 0.01). The decrement was positively correlated with PTL concentrations (IL-1beta: r = 0.55, P < 0.01; TNF-alpha: r = 0.56, P < 0.01). The inhibition reached the peak when the PTL concentration arrived at 20 micromol/L.

CONCLUSIONS

PTL could down-regulate the blood IL-1beta and TNF-alpha concentrations of KOA rabbits. Besides, the decrement was positively correlated with the PTL concentration.