Gamma-oryzanol alleviates osteoarthritis development by targeting Keap1-Nrf2 binding to interfere with chondrocyte ferroptosis

Int Immunopharmacol. 2024 Feb 15:128:111469. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111469. Epub 2024 Jan 10.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disorder pathologically correlated to chondrocyte ferroptosis. Gamma-oryzanol (γ-Ory), as a first-line drug for autonomic disorders, aroused our interest because of its antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic potential. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential impact and mechanism of γ-Ory in treating OA. And the inhibition of γ-Ory in extracellular matrix molecule (ECM) degradation, ferroptosis, and Keap1-Nrf2 binding in IL-1β-exposed chondrocytes was detected via immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation. Micro-CT, SO staining, and immunofluorescence have been conducted to assess the impact of γ-Ory treatment on ACLT-mediated OA in rats at both imaging and histological stages. We found that γ-Ory dose-dependently suppressed IL-1β-induced ECM deterioration and chondrocyte ferroptosis. Our animal experiments revealed that γ-Ory delayed ACLT-mediated OA development. Mechanistically, γ-Ory interfered with the binding of Keap1 to Nrf2 to promote the latter's nuclear import, thereby increasing the expression of detoxification enzymes. Summarily, our works support γ-Ory's potential as a candidate drug for the treatment of OA.

Keywords: Chondrocyte; Ferroptosis; Gramma-oryzanol; Nrf2; Osteoarthritis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Ferroptosis*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Osteoarthritis* / drug therapy
  • Phenylpropionates* / therapeutic use
  • Rats

Substances

  • gamma-oryzanol
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Phenylpropionates