Resveratrol ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus-induced alterations to the knee joint articular cartilage ultrastructure in rats

The role and current research status of resveratrol in the treatment of osteoarthritis and its mechanisms: a narrative review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease caused by various factors such as aging, obesity, trauma, and genetics. It is a challenging condition faced by orthopedic doctors in clinical practice and places a heavy burden on patients and their families. Currently, the treatment of OA primarily focuses on symptomatic relief and lacks ideal therapeutic methods. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and in recent years, it has gained attention as a candidate drug for OA treatment. This article provides an overview of the research status on the role and mechanisms of resveratrol in treating OA. It has been found that resveratrol can prevent the development of OA by inhibiting inflammatory responses, protecting chondrocytes, maintaining cartilage homeostasis, promoting autophagy, and has shown certain therapeutic effects. This process may be related to the regulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1). We summarize the current molecular mechanisms of resveratrol in treating OA, hoping to provide a reference for further research and application of resveratrol in OA treatment.

Effects of resveratrol on biochemical and structural outcomes in osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

Background and objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common age-related disease of joints with increasing global prevalence. Persistent inflammation within the joint space is speculated to be the cause of OA. Resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound which can influence cartilage metabolism through multiple signalling pathways. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the therapeutic effects of resveratrol in animal models of OA.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Wanfang and VIP databases in May 2023. Studies on the effects of resveratrol in animal models of OA written in English or Mandarin, published from the inception of databases until the date of the search were considered.

Results

Fifteen eligibility studies were included and analysed. Resveratrol was shown to inhibit the secretion of interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and apoptosis of articular chondrocytes. Joint structure as indicated by Mankin scores was restored with resveratrol in animal OA models.

Conclusion

Resveratrol is a potential therapeutic agent for OA based on animal studies. Further evidence from well-planned human studies would be required to validate its clinical efficacies.

Natural anti-inflammatory products for osteoarthritis: From molecular mechanism to drug delivery systems and clinical trials

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions globally. The present nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatments have different side effects, leading researchers to focus on natural anti-inflammatory products (NAIPs). To review the effectiveness and mechanisms of NAIPs in the cellular microenvironment, examining their impact on OA cell phenotype and organelles levels. Additionally, we summarize relevant research on drug delivery systems and clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to promote clinical studies and explore natural product delivery options. English-language articles were searched on PubMed using the search terms "natural products," "OA," and so forth. We categorized search results based on PubChem and excluded "natural products" which are mix of ingredients or compounds without the structure message. Then further review was separately conducted for molecular mechanisms, drug delivery systems, and RCTs later. At present, it cannot be considered that NAIPs can thoroughly prevent or cure OA. Further high-quality studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanism and drug delivery systems of NAIPs are needed, to determine the appropriate drug types and regimens for clinical application, and to explore the combined effects of different NAIPs to prevent and treat OA.

Beyond mechanical loading: The metabolic contribution of obesity in osteoarthritis unveils novel therapeutic targets

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent progressive disease that frequently coexists with obesity. For several decades, OA was thought to be the result of ageing and mechanical stress on cartilage. Researchers' perspective has been greatly transformed when cumulative findings emphasized the role of adipose tissue in the diseases. Nowadays, the metabolic effect of obesity on cartilage tissue has become an integral part of obesity research; hoping to discover a disease-modifying drug for OA. Recently, several adipokines have been reported to be associated with OA. Particularly, metrnl (meteorin-like) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) have been recognized as emerging adipokines that can mediate OA pathogenesis. Accordingly, in this review, we will summarize the latest findings concerned with the metabolic contribution of obesity in OA pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and adipokines. Additionally, we will discuss the most recent adipokines that have been reported to play a role in this context. Careful consideration of these molecular mechanisms interrelated with obesity and OA will undoubtedly unveil new avenues for OA treatment.

Glucocorticoid induced bone disorders in children: Research progress in treatment mechanisms

Long-term or supra-physiological dose of glucocorticoid (GC) application in clinic can lead to impaired bone growth and osteoporosis. The side effects of GC on the skeletal system are particularly serious in growing children, potentially causing growth retardation or even osteoporotic fractures. Children's bone growth is dependent on endochondral ossification of growth plate chondrocytes, and excessive GC can hinder the development of growth plate and longitudinal bone growth. Despite the availability of drugs for treating osteoporosis, they have failed to effectively prevent or treat longitudinal bone growth and development disorders caused by GCs. As of now, there is no specific drug to mitigate these severe side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine shows potential as an alternative to the current treatments by eliminating the side effects of GC. In summary, this article comprehensively reviews the research frontiers concerning growth and development disorders resulting from supra-physiological levels of GC and discusses the future research and treatment directions for optimizing steroid therapy. This article may also provide theoretical and experimental insight into the research and development of novel drugs to prevent GC-related side effects.

A systematic morphology study on the effect of high glucose on intervertebral disc endplate degeneration in mice

To explore the relationship between diabetes and intervertebral disc degeneration in mice and the associated underlying mechanism. Four-week-old male Kunming mice were used to model diabetes using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. After 6 months, morphological and pathological changes in L4-L6 intervertebral discs were detected by magnetic resonance imaging, micro-CT and histological staining. Immunostaining of CD31, F4/80 and CD16/32 receptors was used to detect vascular invasion and inflammatory infiltration in endplates; the exact changes were then explored by the transmission electron microscopy. The nucleus pulposus of the control and the diabetic group had a clear boundary and regular shape without collapse, while endplate calcification and chondrocyte abnormality in the diabetic group were more obvious. Immunofluorescence confirmed that compared to control, expression levels of CD31 (vascular endothelial marker) and F4/80 (monocyte/macrophage marker) in the diabetic group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), with an elevated number of F4/80 (+)/CD16/32 (+) cells (P < 0.05). The morphology of endplates was observed by transmission electron microscopy, which showed monocytes/macrophage accumulation in the endplate of the diabetic group, accompanied by increased vascular density, collagen fiber distortion and chondrocyte abnormality. In a conclusion, diabetes promotes endplate degeneration with vascular invasion, monocyte/macrophage infiltration and inflammation in mice.

Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Knee Osteoarthritis and its Molecular Mechanisms: A Recent Review in Preclinical and Clinical Trials

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the progressing chronic joint associated with by many complex factors such as age, obesity, and trauma. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common type of OA. KOA is characterized by articular cartilage destruction and degeneration, synovial inflammation, and abnormal subchondral bone changes. To date, no practical clinical approach has been able to modify the pathological progression of KOA. Drug therapy is limited to pain control and may lead to serious side effects when taken for a long time. Therefore, searching for safer and more reliable treatments has become necessary. Interestingly, more and more research has focused on natural products, and monomeric compounds derived from natural products have received much attention as drug candidates for KOA treatment. Resveratrol (RES), a natural phenolic compound, has various pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-apoptotic, and anti-decay. Recently, studies on the effects of RES on maintaining the normal homeostasis of chondrocytes in KOA have received increasing attention, which seems to be attributed to the multi-targeted effects of RES on chondrocyte function. This review summarizes preclinical trials, clinical trials, and emerging tissue engineering studies of RES for KOA and discusses the specific mechanisms by which RES alleviates KOA. A better understanding of the pharmacological role of RES in KOA could provide clinical implications for intervention in the development of KOA.