Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
Author Spotlight: Understanding the Mechanism of Tuina Manipulation in Rats
Published on: June 30, 2023
Acupuncture Delays Cartilage Degeneration through Upregulating SIRT1 Expression in Rats with Osteoarthritis
Hui Liu1, Tingting Zhang1, Min Liu1
1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
Abstract:
Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) has been reported to inhibit osteoarthritic gene expression in chondrocytes. Here, efforts in this study were made to unveil the specific role of SIRT1 in the therapy of acupuncture on cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). Specifically, OA was established by the anterior cruciate ligament transection method in the right knee joint of rats, subsequent to which acupuncture was performed on two acupoints. Injection with shSIRT1 sequence-inserted lentiviruses was conducted to investigate the role of SIRT1 in acupuncture-mediated OA. Morphological changes and cell apoptosis in rat OA cartilages were examined by safranin-O staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-2 in OA rats were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of SIRT1, cartilage matrix degradation-related proteins (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and ADAMTS5), NF-κB signaling-related markers (p-p65/p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα), and cartilage matrix synthesis-related proteins (collagen II and aggrecan) in the OA cartilage were analyzed by western blot. As a result, acupuncture counteracted OA-associated upregulation of TNF-α, IL-2, cartilage matrix degradation-related proteins, and NF-κB signaling-related markers, morphological damage, apoptosis, SIRT1 downregulation, and loss of cartilage matrix synthesis-related proteins in rat articular cartilages. SIRT1 silencing reversed acupuncture-induced counteractive effects on the aforementioned OA-associated phenomena (except apoptosis, the experiment regarding which under SIRT1 silencing was not performed). Collectively, acupuncture inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis, inflammation, NF-κB signaling activation, and cartilage matrix degradation by upregulating SIRT1 expression to delay OA-associated cartilage degeneration.
Insights
Acupuncture alleviates osteoarthritis by increasing SIRT1 expression, reducing inflammation and cartilage degradation. Silencing SIRT1 reversed these beneficial effects, confirming its crucial role in acupuncture
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Orthopedics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown.
- Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) is implicated in regulating chondrocyte gene expression and has shown potential in inhibiting OA.
- Understanding the role of SIRT1 in acupuncture's therapeutic effects on OA is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific role of SIRT1 in acupuncture-mediated therapy for osteoarthritis-induced cartilage degeneration in rats.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which acupuncture influences OA progression, focusing on SIRT1's involvement.
Main Methods:
- Osteoarthritis was induced in rats using the anterior cruciate ligament transection method.
- Acupuncture was applied to specific acupoints, and SIRT1 was silenced using shSIRT1 lentiviruses.
- Evaluated cartilage morphology, apoptosis, serum inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-2), and protein expression (SIRT1, MMP-9, ADAMTS5, NF-κB pathway, collagen II, aggrecan).
Main Results:
- Acupuncture treatment counteracted OA-associated increases in inflammatory markers, cartilage degradation proteins, and NF-κB signaling activation.
- Acupuncture mitigated morphological damage and apoptosis in OA cartilage, alongside downregulating SIRT1.
- SIRT1 silencing reversed the beneficial effects of acupuncture on OA markers, except for apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture effectively inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, inflammation, NF-κB signaling, and cartilage matrix degradation in OA.
- These therapeutic effects are mediated by the upregulation of SIRT1 expression.
- SIRT1 plays a critical role in acupuncture's ability to delay osteoarthritis-associated cartilage degeneration.
