Glycyrrhizin, an HMGB1 inhibitor, Suppresses Interleukin-1β-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Chondrocytes from Patients with Osteoarthritis. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Shifeng; Liu, Guodan; Si, Zhenxing; Yu, Luanfei; Hou, Limin
• Is Part Of: Cartilage. Volume 13:Number 2(2022)Supplement
• Page Start: 947S
• Page End: 955S
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: osteoarthritis -- high mobility group box 1 -- interleukin-1β -- glycyrrhizin -- inflammation; Cartilage -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1177/1947603520934858
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1947-6035

Abstract

Background: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is increased in osteoarthritis (OA) tissue and chondrocytes stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Suppression of HMGB1 expression is correlated with reduced inflammatory responses induced by IL-1β. This study aimed to investigate how inhibition of HMGB1 by glycyrrhizin might affect inflammatory responses and viability of OA patient–derived chondrocytes treated with IL-1β. Design: The amounts of HMGB1 in the cartilage tissue and synovial fluid in patients with OA were assessed by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chondrocytes were extracted from OA patients and maintained in culture. The impact of glycyrrhizin on IL-1β-induced cell toxicity and inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), nitric oxide (NO), proinflammatory cytokines, and metalloproteases (MMPs), were assessed by ELISA, Western blot, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the Griess reagent assay. Results: We confirmed that HMGB1 was significantly upregulated in specimens acquired from patients with OA. HMGB1 inhibition by glycyrrhizin improved cell viability of chondrocytes treated with IL-1β. Glycyrrhizin suppressed IL-1β-induced upregulation of HMGB1 and inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including PGE2, NO, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs. Conclusion: Our results indicate that glycyrrhizin may be a potential therapy for OA patients and these promising findings warrant further study for clinical application.