Inhibitory action of different doses of tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch on expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α in collagen II-induced arthritis rat model

To investigate the inhibitory action of different doses of tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch (THH) on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) in collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Material and methods: CIA rat model was established. Rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats in the treatment group were received high, moderate or low doses of THH for 30 ds, and drugs administered by gastrogavage. Morphological changes of ankle joints and arthritis index (AI) were observed. HIF-1 alpha expression was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining technique. Results: THH inhibited joint swelling and destruction in CIA, significantly reduced the volume of paw and arthritis index, suppressed HIF-1 alpha expression and synovial membrane's proliferation in CIA. Conclusions: The results showed that THH had a good therapeutic effect on CIA rats. The mechanism that HIT treatment RA may correlate with regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha HIF-1 alpha expression in both peripheral blood and synovial tissue.