Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a debilitating condition that can severely limit an individual’s mobility and quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) treatment in cartilage repair using a rat model of monoiodoacetate- (MIA-) induced knee OA. OA was induced in the knee joint of rats by an intracapsular injection of MIA (2 mg/50 μL) on day zero. The rats were divided into three groups ( n = 6 ): a normal control group, an osteoarthritic control group, and an osteoarthritic group receiving a single intra-articular injection of BM-MSCs ( 5 × 10 6 cells/rat). The knee diameter was recorded once per week. By the end of the performed experiment, X-ray imaging and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis of serum inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were carried out. In addition, RT-PCR was used to measure nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and type II collagen mRNA levels and Western blot analysis was used to determine caspase-3 protein levels in all treated groups. Finally, hematoxylin/and eosin stains were used for histopathological investigation. Administration of BM-MSCs significantly downregulated knee joint swelling and MIA-induced (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and upregulated IL-10 and TGF-β as well. Moreover, BM-MSC-treated osteoarthritic rats exhibited decreased expression of NF-κB, iNOS, and apoptotic mediator (caspase-3) and increased expression of type II collagen when compared to rats treated with MIA alone. The hematoxylin/eosin-stained sections revealed that BM-MSC administration ameliorated the knee joint alterations in MIA-injected rats. BM-MSCs could be an effective treatment for inflamed knee joints in the MIA-treated rat model of osteoarthritis, and the effect may be mediated via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.

Aim. This study is aimed at evaluating the use of curcumin-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (CUR-loaded PLGA NPs) as a treatment against monosodium iodoacetate- (MIA-) induced knee OA. Materials and Methods. Eighteen rats were assigned to three groups ( n = 6 ), namely, normal control group that received intra-articular injections (IAIs) of saline, an OA control group that received an IAIs of MIA (2 mg/50 μL), and a treatment group (MIA+CUR-loaded PLGA NPs) that received IAIs of CUR-loaded PLGA NPs (200 mg/kg b.wt). Results. The CUR NP treatment against knee OA alleviated radiographic alternations and histopathological changes and inhibited the upregulation in the serum levels of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-beta and the downregulation in interleukin-10. CUR NP-treated joints also decreased the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B and inducible nitric oxide synthase and the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and caspase-3. Finally, CUR-loaded PLGA NP treatment mitigated the loss of type II collagen, which resulted in a significant reduction in malondialdehyde level and increased the glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity compared with that of the OA group. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the administration of CUR NPs could provide effective protection against MIA-induced OA and knee joint histological deteriorated changes due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties.

Background Despite the wide usage of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer in many types of food, it has been reported as a toxic agent to humans and experimental animals. It also adversely influences male fertility. Several research studies attributed detrimental effects of MSG on reproductive organs to oxidative stress. The current study investigated the effects of MSG on testis and the potential role of quercetin in attenuating them. Results MSG-treated rats showed a considerable elevation in lipid peroxidation level and reduction in glutathione concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the homogenate of testis tissues. Treatment with quercetin in combination with MSG provided significant protection. When QU was used, the toxic side effects were significantly reduced, with a considerable reduction in lipid peroxidation and an increase in SOD and GPx activities, and glutathione concentration. Conclusions Quercetin may be used in combination with MSG to improve the histopathological, ultrastructure, oxidative stress, and biochemical parameters of testicular toxicity induced by MSG due to its antioxidant effects. Graphical abstract

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