2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (8): 1667-1675

Exercise intervention and the role of pyroptosis in osteoarthritis

Wang Qiuyue1, Jin Pan2, Pu Rui1, 3     

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pyroptosis participate in the degradation of the extracellular matrix of chondrocytes, synovial inflammation and pain, and plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis. In addition, exercise can inhibit the occurrence of pyroptosis to regulate the progression of osteoarthritis, which has become a research hot spot in the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the regulatory role of pyroptosis in osteoarthritis and the mechanism of exercise-mediated pyroptosis in osteoarthritis.
METHODS: PubMed and CNKI databases were searched during 1992 to 2024 with the keywords “pyroptosis, osteoarthritis, chondrocyte pyroptosis, synovial cell pyroptosis, exercise” in English and Chinese, respectively. Finally, 71 relevant articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage extracellular matrix, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodeling. This condition often leads to organic lesions, bone pain, and functional impairment. (2) Pyroptosis, a distinct programmed cell death mechanism, involves cell lysis and the release of inflammatory cytokines, triggering a robust inflammatory response, and is closely related to the development of osteoarthritis. Pyroptosis can result in the release of numerous inflammatory factors, thereby activate the nuclear factor kappa-B transcription and increase pyroptosis protein production, and in turn exacerbate the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, pyroptosis can be a new direction for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis. (3) Exercise has been shown to down-regulate the pyroptosis protein signaling pathway and inhibit the expression of related inflammatory factors, thereby playing a pivotal role in osteoarthritis prevention and treatment. Aerobic and anaerobic exercises can delay the pathological process of osteoarthritis by inhibiting the occurrence of pyroptosis. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is most effective in improving osteoarthritis by inhibiting pyroptosis signaling pathways, while anaerobic exercise can have beneficial effects on osteoarthritis by improving muscle mass.
Key words: pyroptosis, osteoarthritis, exercise, exercise regulation, singling pathway, review