Many studies have shown that ozone (O3) can inhibit inflammation in osteoarthritis (OA) and regulate the metabolic balance of articular cartilage, but the mechanisms of this process are not well understood. Our study investigated the therapeutic mechanism of O3 in OA. OA models were established, and the MWT and PWL were measured. HE staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe cartilage degeneration. The levels of MMP-13, collagen-2, LC3II and P62 were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. The results showed that intra-articular injection of O3 can effectively alleviate pain and inhibit cartilage degeneration in OA rats. O3 can also reduce the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6, inhibit the expression of MMP-13 and the degradation of collagen-2, upregulate the autophagy-related protein LC3II and inhibit P62. This effect is associated with the upregulation of chondrocyte autophagy in OA.
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