Glucosamine promotes chondrocyte proliferation via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway.

The present study investigated the mechanism underlying the effects of glucosamine (GlcN) on the proliferation of chondrocytes isolated from the knee cartilage of Sprague‑Dawley rats. Chondrocytes were treated with various concentrations of GlcN or without GlcN. The effects of GlcN on chondrocyte proliferation were determined using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry.

Psoralen promotes the expression of cyclin D1 in chondrocytes via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Psoralen (PSO), the active ingredient of Fructus Psoraleae (FP) the dried ripe fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L., has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). We found that PSO activates cartilaginous cellular functions of rat chondrocytes in vitro.

Electroacupuncture serum inhibits TNF‑α‑mediated chondrocyte inflammation via the Ras‑Raf‑MEK1/2‑ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

The Ras‑Raf‑mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1/2‑extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway contributes to the release of chondral matrix‑degrading enzymes and accelerates the degradation of articular cartilage. Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been widely used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA); however, the mechanism underlying the effects of EA on OA remains unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluated the anti‑inflammatory effects and potential underlying mechanisms of EA serum (EAS) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α‑mediated chondrocyte inflammation.

Expressing human SHOX in Shox2SHOX KI/KI mice leads to congenital osteoarthritis‑like disease of the temporomandibular joint in postnatal mice.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a unique synovial joint whose development differs from that of other synovial joints, develops from two distinct mesenchymal condensations that grow toward each other and ossify through different mechanisms. The short stature homeobox 2 (Shox2) gene serves an important role in TMJ development and previous studies have demonstrated that Shox2SHOX KI/KI mice display a TMJ defective phenotype, congenital dysplasia and premature eroding of the articular disc, which is clinically defined as a TMJ disorder. In the present study, Shox2SHOX KI/KI mouse models were used to investigate the mechanisms of congenital osteoarthritis (OA)‑like disease during postnatal TMJ growth.

Bushen Zhuangjin decoction inhibits TM-induced chondrocyte apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Chondrocyte apoptosis triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Bushen Zhuangjin decoction (BZD) has been widely used in the treatment of OA. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of BZD on chondrocyte apoptosis remain to be elucidated.