The effect of serum containing Tao Hong Si Wu decoction on macrophages in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head

Objective: To investigate the effect on macrophages by treatment of serum containing Tao Hong Si Wu decoction(ST) and further explore the mechanism of promoting repair in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head(SONFH) by Chinese herbs of activating blood circulation to remove stasis. Method: Macrophages (M) were harvested after U-937cell lines induced by 10nM PMA 24h later. Under the stimulation condition of necrotic bone particles(NBP), M were exposed to different concentration of ST 48h, then supernatant and cells were respectively collected to detect the variation of TNF-α, TGF-β1 by ELISA and Real-time PCR. Result: The expression of TNF-α, TGF-β1 secreted by M showed a correlation with different concentration of ST. Compared with low concentration ST, high concentration ST significantly inhibited the expression of TNF-α while enhanced TGF-β1(P<;0.01). Conclusion: The Chinese herbs of activating blood circulation to remove stasis can promote repair in SONFH by down-regulating the level of TNF-a and up-regulating TGF-β1 which are secreted by the macrophages.