| Abstract: | Combined eVects of hyaluronate and indomethacin
in the treatment of rabbits with antigen-induced arthritis
(AIA) were evaluated by assessing joint swelling,
C-reactive protein (CRP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
levels with periodic intra-articular (ia) injections of hyaluronate
alone (HA group) and with either a low or high
concentration of indomethacin (LI-HA or HI-HA group).
End-point analyses included matrix metalloproteinases-3
(MMP-3) activity and macroscopic and histological joint
examinations. Results demonstrated that treatment in LI-HA
and HI-HA groups resulted in statistically signiWcant
suppression of CRP, PGE2, and MMP-3 in comparison with
those of HA group. Inhibition of serum CRP was only
observed in LI-HA group. The order of serum MMP-3
inhibition was LI-HA>HI-HA>HA. Based on macroscopic
and histological analyses of pannus formation, hyperplasia,
inXammation, joint leakage and erosion, and loss of proteoglycan,
the only statistically signiWcant improvement was
shown in LI-HA group compared to HA group and HI-HA
group compared to control group. |
