[Effect and mechanism of action of total glucosides of paeony on synoviocytes from rats with collagen-induced arthritis].

AIM:To study the effect and mechanism of action of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on synoviocytes from rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS:Chicken type II collagen was used to induce CIA in rats. Synoviocytes were separated by incubation with collagenase and trypsin, and its ultrastructural changes were observed under transmission electron microscope. Synoviocyte proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazal-2yl) 2,5- diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay, and IL-1 activity in synoviocytes supernatant was measured by thymocyte proliferation assay. TNFa and PGE, produced by synoviocytes were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS:TGP was shown to protect CIA rats against the ultrastructural damages of synoviocytes. Meanwhile, TGP also suppressed the excessive synoviocyte proliferation and over-production of IL-1, TNFalpha and PGE2. CONCLUSION:TGP has inhibitory effect on hyperfunctional synoviocytes of CIA rats and its mechanism of action may be related with the inhibition of abnormal proliferation and secretion of synoviocytes.