Platelet-rich Plasma Combined with Isometric Quadriceps Contraction Regulates Autophagy in Chondrocytes Via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway to Promote Cartilage Repair in Knee Osteoarthritis

Overview

Journal Regen Ther

Date 2024 Dec 20

PMID 39703816

Authors

Liang Cheng

Shuwan Chang

Yajun Tan

Benxiang He

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the molecular mechanism by which the combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and isometric contraction of the quadriceps (ICQ) intervention regulates autophagy in chondrocytes to prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group (CG, n = 6) and a model group (n = 24). After one week, the model group was randomly divided into a joint intervention group (JIG), a rapamycin group (RAG), an MHY1485 group (MYG), and a model blank group (MBG), with JIG, RAG, and MYG receiving the same combined intervention.

Results: The trend of cartilage lesions in each group was CG < RAG < JIG < MYG < MBG. Compared with MBG and MYG, JIG and RAG showed downregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, MMP-13, and TNF-α mRNA in the cartilage ( < 0.01); mTOR protein expression: compared with JIG, RAG showed downregulation, and MYG showed upregulation. Compared with RAG, MYG showed upregulation ( < 0.01); ATG5 protein expression: compared with RAG, MYG showed downregulation ( < 0.01); Beclin1, LC3-I, and ULK1 protein expression: compared with JIG, RAG showed upregulation, and MYG showed downregulation ( < 0.01). Compared with RAG, MYG showed downregulation ( < 0.01); P62 protein expression: compared with RAG, both MBG and RAG showed upregulation, and MYG showed downregulation ( < 0.05); LC3-II/LC3-I ratio: compared with JIG and RAG, the ratio in MYG was decreased ( < 0.01).

Conclusion: The combined intervention promotes autophagy in chondrocytes by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, downregulating inflammatory factors and MMP-13 in the cartilage, upregulating autophagy markers, inhibiting matrix degradation, and promoting cartilage repair.

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