Gene expression changes
Gene expression of proteolytic enzymes, ECM components, and inflammatory proteins in normal cartilage explants/chondrocytes were also investigated after MPA/MPS, TA, and DEX treatments. MPA, DEX, and TA significantly collagen II expression in two studies (Fubini et al., 2001; Richardson & Dodge, 2003), while ACAN, biglycan, and decorin expression did not change after DEX or TA treatments (Richardson & Dodge, 2003; Palma et al., 2019b). For proteolytic enzymes, TA caused no significant changes in the study of Palma et al. (2019b), while Busschers, Holt & Richardson (2010), and Richardson & Dodge (2003) found significant decreases in MMP expression.
No significant changes were found for the expression or activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase, COX-2 expression, or PGE2 concentrations in media after DEX treatments or oxidative profile and cell viability after TA treatments (Tung, Venta & Caron, 2002; Tung et al., 2002; Palma et al., 2019a).