The effects of velvet antler polypeptides on the phenotype and related biological indicators of osteoarthritic rabbit chondrocytes.

Abstract

VAPs had no significant effect on OC proliferation and the cell cycle, but did increase the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II expression levels in the extracellular matrix, and down-regulated collagen I and X mRNA expression. Treatment of cartilage cells with VAPs maintained their normal phenotype, inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion, kept the balance of cartilage matrix metabolism, and sustained an external environment where the cartilage cells could survive. Moreover, VAPs reduced the proportion of early apoptotic cells, suggesting that they may block the apoptotic pathway in OCs.