AIM: To observe the effect of Yiqi Huayu Lishui prescription on transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in cartilage in
osteoarthritis rabbits.METHODS: The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Spondylopathy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July to December 2003. Twenty male New Zealand rabbits aged 6 months were selected and randomly assigned into normal group, model group, Yiqi Huayu Lishui prescription group (Chinese herb group) and Glucosamine Indometacin Entric-coated Tablets group (NSAIDs group) with 5 rabbits in each group. Osteoarthritic models were made according to Colombo method. The drug was given at 5-8 weeks. The rabbits in the Chinese herb group were given with 0.09 g/kg per day Yiqi Huayu Lishui prescription group. Those in the NSAIDs group were treated with 0.09 g/kg per day NSAIDs. Those in the normal group and model group were not treated with any drug. Materials were drawn at the 9th week after operation in every group. Articular cartilage of right tibia was gained to stain with immunohistochemical method and observed under the light microscope. Integral absorbance (A) of the expression of TGF-β1 was detected with image analysis. RESULTS: Totally 20 rabbits were involved in the result analysis. ① Observational result of light microscope on articular cartilage of every group: The articular cartilage injured severely in the model group and the NSAIDs group. TGF-β1 expressed chiefly in membrane and plasma of cartilage cell with cluster. The injury of articular cartilage relieved significantly in the Chinese herb group as compared with the NSAIDs group. ② Image analysis of A of staining intensity of TGF-β1 of model in cartilage of every group: There was no obvious difference between normal group and Chinese herb group (6.64±1.59,5.49±3.09,P > 0.05). There was no marked difference between the model group and the NSAIDs group (23.16±9.38,20.09 ±9.17,P > 0.05). It was increased remarkably in the model group than that in the normal group and the Chinese herb group (F=8.96,P < 0.01=. CONCLUSION: The Yiqi Huayu Lishui prescription can inhibit osteocarthritis. One of its mechanism is gained by adjusting the TGF-β1