基于电针治疗骨关节炎的有效性和课题组前期研究结果，结合骨关节炎中软骨下骨发生骨重建失衡的研究前沿，课题组提出：调控软骨下骨骨重建是电针治疗骨关节炎的作用机制之一的研究假说。骨重建包括骨吸收和其耦联的骨形成两方面。RANKL/RANK/OPG 信号通路是各种信号调节骨吸收的最后通路，而在新骨形成过程中, Wnt/β-catenin信号通路起着关键的作用。本项目采用多层次(分子、细胞、器官、整体)和多手段(高分辨MRI、显微CT、分子生物学等)相结合的方法，探讨电针对前交叉韧带切断的大鼠膝骨关节炎动物模型关节软骨、软骨下骨及RANKL/RANK/OPG及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的基因与蛋白表达的影响，从而阐明电针调控软骨下骨骨重建是电针治疗骨关节炎的作用机制之一，为电针治疗骨关节炎提供全新的科学观点。

Evidences have shown that subchondral bone remodeling plays a key role in osteoarthritis(OA). It has been reported that electroacupuncture can inhibit degeneration of articular cartilage. On basis of the results of our previous studies, we hypothesized that electroacupuncture can inhibit the degeneration of articular cartilage, at least partly, by regulating subchondral bone remodeling. Bone is continuously remodeled in a tightly regulated manner via the bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts acting in conjunction to maintain bone homeostasis. RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway has been accepted as the final common pathway of osteoclastogenesis and activation of osteoclast. Evidences have shown that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays key roles in the regulation of bone growth and remodeling. The aim of this study will be to investigate the possible mechanisms by which electroacupuncture prevents and treats osteoarthritis. For this purpose we will explore the effects of electroacupuncture on cartilage and subchondral bone, and further investigate the mRNA and protein expressions for several important components of RANKL/RANK/OPG and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in subchondral bone of anterior cruciate ligament transaction(ACLT) rats. Understanding of the precise mechanisms by which electroacupuncture elicits these favorable biological responses can help control osteoarthritis.