Effects of Tongbi capsule on knee joint function and synovial fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3,-9 in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of Tongbi capsule on the knee joint function and the synovial fluid levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3,-9 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 76 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table, 38 in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with glucosamine hydrochloride capsules, while patients in the observation group were given Tongbi capsule on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index was used to measure the knee joint function, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the synovial fluid levels of MMP-3 and MMP-9. Results The knee joint function in the observation group was significantly improved than that in the control group (94.74% vs. 78.95%;χ2=4.146, P<0.05). The synovial fluid levels of MMP-3 (67.58 ± 22.35 ng/ml vs. 93.51 ± 27.84 ng/ml; t=4.477, P<0.01) and MMP-9 (36.24 ± 10.56 ng/ml vs. 51.87 ± 12.35 ng/ml; t=5.930, P<0.01) in the observation group patients were significant lower than those in the control group after treatment. Conclusions Tongbi capsule was effective in treating knee joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and its mechanism may be related to its reducing the synovial fluid levels of MMP-3 and MMP-9. Key words: Osteoarthritis, knee; Matrix metalloproteinase 3; Matrix metalloproteinase 9; Synovial fluid; Tongbi capsule