Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are implicated in joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by modulating the production and functions of inflammatory cytokines. Although p38 MAPK (p38) participates in signaling cascades leading to osteolysis in arthritis, the mechanisms of its action in this process remain incompletely understood. Here, we found that the osteoclast (Ocl) precursors expressed p38␣, but not p38␤, p38␦, and p38␥ isoforms. Treatment of these cells with receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-B ligand (RANKL) resulted in p38 activation. Importantly, Ocl development induced by RANKL or RANKL and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣ was blocked with the novel p38 inhibitor 4-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrimidine (SC-409). To validate in vitro data, p38 role was further investigated in streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced arthritis in rats. We found that SCW-induced joint swelling and bone destruction were attenuated by SC-409. Mechanistically, the data show that SCW-stimulated DNA binding activity of the transcription factor myocyte-enhancing factor 2 C, which is downstream of p38, was inhibited by SC-409. In addition, SC-409 inhibited SCW-stimulated expression of numerous factors, including TNF-␣, interleukin-1␤, and RANKL. Although c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase and NF-B pathways were activated in vitro by RANKL and in vivo by SCW, SC-409 had no significant effect on these pathways. In conclusion, our data show that p38 modulates the production and signaling of cytokines, thus providing a mechanism of the bone-sparing effect of SC-409 in rat arthritis. These data present SC-409 as a novel potent p38 inhibitor and suggest that p38-based therapies may be beneficial in preventing bone loss associated with RA.

The effect of phytate to zinc (Zn) molar ratio on zinc bioavailability was evaluated in rats. The bioavailability was determined by giving an oral dose of 65Zn and measuring the liver uptake and disappearance from the gastrointestinal tract after 4 hours and fecal and urinary 65Zn excretion from 24 to 168 hours. Rats were fed a diet containing 12 ppm zinc from zinc sulfate with and without phytic acid from sodium phytate for 14 days. At the end of 14 days feeding, the rats were intubated with a homogenized diet containing 12 ppm zinc, one microCi 65Zn and graded levels of phytic acid so that the phytate:Zn molar ratio varied from 0 to 100. Zinc bioavailability was significantly reduced only in the rats fed diets containing phytate and intubated diet containing phytate:zinc molar ratio of 12.5 and above. The results from this study also indicated that measuring 65Zn disappearance and uptake was a valid bioassay for determining zinc bioavailability. The effect of isolated soybean protein on extrinsic zinc bioavailability was also evaluated in rats fed zinc adequate and zinc deficient diets. The results showed that zinc bioavailability was significantly reduced by replacing egg white protein with isolated soybean protein only when the rats were fed zinc deficient diet prior to single oral dose of 65Zn mixed with test proteins. The effect of isolated soybean protein on intrinsic zinc bioavailability for the growing rats was also evaluated. The results demonstrated that the zinc bioavailability in isolated soybean protein can be improved by fortifying with zinc so that the phytate:Zn molar ratio is less than 10.

There is a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) after release of bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) of 24 hours duration. The present studies examine the role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in the renal hemodynamics of sham-operated rats (SOR) and rats in which BUO of 24 hours duration was unilaterally released. In both groups of rats, renal function and blood pressure were measured in the awake state under basal conditions and after administration of L-arginine (L-arg), the substrate for EDRF synthesis, followed by NwNAME, an L-arg antagonist, or after administration of NwNAME followed by L-arg. Administration of L-arg alone to SOR did not affect renal function, MAP or RVR. In SOR given L-arg and then NwNAME, there was significantly decreased GFR and ERPF and increased MAP and RVR. When NwNAME was given initially, similar changes were obtained, and these were reversed by the administration of L-arg. Rats given L-arginine immediately after unilateral release of BUO of 24 hours duration had significantly greater GFR and ERPF values and lower MAP and RVR than temporal controls. NwNAME given to BUO rats decreased renal function further and increased MAP and RVR. We found a dose-dependent increase in GFR and ERPF and a dose-dependent decrease in MAP and RVR in both SOR and rats with BUO given increasing amounts of L-arg. There was also a dose-dependent decrease in GFR and ERPF and an increase in MAP and RVR in SOR and rats with BUO given increasing amounts of NwNAME or NGNMA, the two different antagonists of L-arg. In another set of experiments, SOR and rats with BUO were given L-arg preoperatively (that is, 24 hr prior to study). Both groups of rats had significantly higher GFR and ERPF values and lower MAP and RVR than control rats. Sham-operated rats given NwNAME 24 hours prior to study had significantly lower GFR and ERPF and higher MAP and RVR than untreated rats. Rats with BUO given NwNAME prior to obstruction had no measurable renal function and had significantly higher values for MAP after release of obstruction. These studies confirm the role of L-arg administration, and presumably EDRF, in the regulation of MAP and renal function in sham-operated rats. The results of this study also suggest decreased availability of arginine for EDRF synthesis in rats with BUO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that has no FDA-approved treatment. The current standard of care does not address the regeneration of the damaged cartilage. Human growth hormone (hGH) is part of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis. There has been preclinical data that suggest its potential regenerative property in the joint. However, unformulated recombinant hGH (rhGH) is short-lived in the joint, and does not provide a desirable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile to support a clinical treatment paradigm. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylation is a potential method to extend the half-life of rhGH in the joint. The purpose of this study was to delineate the PK/PD profile of PEG-rhGH in the knee joint in a rat preclinical model of OA. After intra-articular (IA) injection of 100 microg into a rat knee joint that underwent medial meniscectomy, PEG-rhGH exhibits 2-fold longer half-lives in joint than native hGH. However, PEG-rhGH has a much longer systemic exposure. IA injections of PEG-rhGH also resulted in higher levels of IGF-1 in the joint and serum when compared with native rhGH. In order to develop PEG-rhGH as an IA therapeutic treatment for OA, careful dose selection is necessary to avoid systemic effects while retaining its anabolic efficacy in the joint.