Abstract

For probing the influence of kukoamine A on interleukin-1 beta-evoked damage of chondrocytes and its possible mechanism. Interleukin-1 beta was used to induce human knee joint chondrocytes to establish a cell injury model, and different concentrations of kukoamine A were used to treat chondrocytes. Following anti-microRNA-302b-3p introduction into chondrocytes, interleukin-1 beta (10 ng/ml) was employed for treating cells for 24 h. microRNA-NC and microRNA-302b-3p mimics were respectively transfected into chondrocytes and treated with kukoamine A (40 μmol/l) and interleukin-1 beta (10 ng/ml) for 24 h. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used for detecting the levels of interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interferon gamma. Flow cytometry was used for detecting the rate of cell apoptosis. The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was utilized for detecting microRNA-302b-3p level. Western blot was employed for detecting Bcl-2 associated X, apoptosis and B-cell lymphoma 2 protein levels. Kukoamine A could reduce interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interferon gamma levels in chondrocytes induced by interleukin-1 beta, and could reduce the rate of apoptosis and the protein level of Bcl-2 associated X, apoptosis, and could also reduce the level of micoRNA-302b-3p, whereas it promoted B-cell lymphoma 2 level dose-dependently. After anti-microRNA-302b-3p introduction, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interferon gamma were downregulated, the rate of apoptosis and the protein level of Bcl-2 associated X, apoptosis were declined, whereas B-cell lymphoma 2 level was elevated. Transfection of microRNA-302b-3p mimics reversed kukoamine A impact on inflammation and apoptosis in interleukin-1 beta-evoked chondrocytes. Kukoamine A could inhibit cell inflammatory reaction and apoptosis by downregulating microRNA-302b-3p level, thereby reducing interleukin-1 beta induced chondrocyte damage.