TY - JOUR AB - Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and is classically defined as a progressively degenerative disease of articular cartilage. It manifests as joint pain and disability and currently has no comprehensive treatments. The primary purpose of the present study was to test the effects of probiotics, Streptococcus thermophilus (TCI633), on anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)‑induced experimental osteoarthritis (OA) in rats. In the current study, the experimental groups were given TCI633 (5x109, 5x1010 and 5x1011 CFU/kg/day) and glucosamine sulfate (250 mg/kg) between week 8 and 20 following ACLT. The results showed that oral administration of TCI633 and glucosamine had significant therapeutic effects on pain behaviors and knee swelling. Dose‑dependent effects of TCI633 were also observed in ACLT‑treated rats. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that ACLT+TCI633 (5x109, 5x1010 and 5x1011 CFU/kg/day) improved the synovial inflammation and cartilage damage of ACLT rats. Histology evaluation using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International system and synovial inflammatory score analysis showed the dose‑dependent inhibition of TCI633 on synovial inflammation and cartilage damage. Immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL apoptosis staining showed that TCI633 could effectively increase the expression of type II collagen and reduce the amount of chondrocyte apoptosis in cartilage. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that oral intake of TCI633 could significantly suppressing pain behavior, reduce joint swelling and synovial tissue inflammation and increase type II collagen expression in cartilage. There was also a reduction in chondrocyte apoptosis and decreased progression of OA in ACLT‑treated rats. AD - Department of Sports Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 80284, Taiwan, R.O.C. Department of Pediatrics, E-DA Hospital, School of Medicine, College of Medicine I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan, R.O.C. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pingtung Christian Hospital, Pingtung, Pingtung 90059, Taiwan, R.O.C. Center for Neuroscience, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, R.O.C. Department of Marine Biotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University and Academia Sinica, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, R.O.C. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan, R.O.C. Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, R.O.C. AU - Lin,Yen-You AU - Chen,Nan-Fu AU - Yang,San-Nan AU - Jean,Yen-Hsuan AU - Kuo,Hsiao-Mei AU - Chen,Pei-Chin AU - Feng,Chien-Wei AU - Liu,Yu-Wei AU - Lai,Yu-Cheng AU - Wen,Zhi-Hong DA - 2021/03/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2021.9653 IS - 3 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - Streptococcus thermophilus anterior cruciate ligament transection glucosamine Osteoarthritis Research Society International type-II collagen PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 222 ST - Effects of Streptococcus thermophilus on anterior cruciate ligament transection-induced early osteoarthritis in rats T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Effects of Streptococcus thermophilus on anterior cruciate ligament transection-induced early osteoarthritis in rats UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9653 VL - 21 ER -