부산대학교 도서관

Objective: To establish a collagen type II-induced rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presenting characteristics of the human form of the traditional Chinese syndrome pattern of toxic heat-stasis painful obstruction (bi zheng; arthromyodynia) as well as pathologic features of active RA. The Chinese herbal medicine Tengmei decoction was used to validate the animal model. Methods: Ninety specific pathogen free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group of 6 rats and a model group of 84 rats. To establish the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), bovine type II collagen in complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the model group rats as a priming dose (Day 0) and boosting dose (Day 9). Changes in arthritic index (AI) scores, including limb swelling, were monitored. Thereafter, 24 successfully-established CIA rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 6 animals each: model, positive control drug, high-dose traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. A blank control group of 6 rats was included. After 12 weeks of intervention with Tengmei decoction, articular synovial tissue and serum specimens were collected to detect interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-17 transcription and protein expression levels. Results: Days 0 through 9, the anterior–posterior and lateral diameters of the limbs in model group rats did not differ significantly when compared to the normal control group (P > .05). On day 16, anterior–posterior, lateral diameters, and footpad thicknesses of both hind limbs in the model group were higher than those of the normal control group (P