<p>Dexamethasone-Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel Suppresses Inflammation and Pain in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats</p>

Abstract

To overcome negative adverse effects and improve therapeutic index of dexamethasone (Dex) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we developed a novel sustained release formulation-intra-articular injectable dexamethasone-loaded thermosensitive hydrogel (DLTH) with chitosan-glycerin-borax as carrier for the remission of inflammation and pain. The focus of this article is to explore both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of DLTH joint injection in bovine type-II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Methods: Wistar rats were randomized into three groups, including the normal group (n=6), the model group (n=6) and the DLTH group (n=10). Joint injection of DLTH (1mg/kg Dex per rat) was injected on day 12 in the DLTH group twice a week for three weeks. Clinical signs of body weight, paw swelling and arthritis scores, histologic analysis, hind paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), plantar pressure pain threshold (PPT) were taken into consideration. Serum contents of IL-17A, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostacyclin 2 (PGI2) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of inflammatory factors and pain-related mediators in synovium and dorsal root ganglia (DRG), Western blotting of NF-κB in synovium were all evaluated. Results: Paw swelling, arthritis scores and joint inflammation destruction were all attenuated in the DLTH-treated group. Results showed that DLTH not only down-regulated serum IL-17A, but also mRNA levels of inflammatory factors and NGF, and key proteins contents of the NF-κB pathway in synovium. Increases of MWT and PPT in DLTH-treated rats elucidated pain-reducing effects of DLTH. Elevated serum PGD2 levels and declines of serum PGE2 and PGI2, and inflammatory and pain-related genes in DRGs in the DLTH group were also recorded. Conclusion: These data elucidated that DLTH joint injection impeded synovial inflammation processes through down-regulating transcription activity of NF-κB pathway, and intraarticular DLTH may aid in the regulation of RA pain through regulating inflammation and pain conduction process.

Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride inhibits hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammation by activating the lncRNA TUG1/miR-194/SIRT1 signaling pathway

“…The present study firstly found that DEX could reverse OGD-induced hepatocyte injury through regulation of TUG1/miR-194/ SIRT1 signaling pathway, further supplementing the mechanism by which DEX mediated the protection against of liver injury. It has been previously reported that DEX can act as an anti-inflammatory agent [28,29]. For instance, Feng Z et al found DEX attenuated the inflammatory responses in fatty liver disease [30].…”

Effect of Nano-eugenol and Aerobic Exercise Against the Streptozotocin Toxicity and Inflammatory Mediators P38-MAPK, NPY, and A-Rα2A in the Dorsal Root Ganglia of Diabetic Rats

“…An earlier study has demonstrated increased volume and number of sprouting nerves subsequent to moderate intensity exercise in experimental rats [22]. Also, other studies have demonstrated that exercise has led to the adaptation, increased motor units and innervation of the muscles involved in exercising [23]. It appears that aerobic exercise promotes the synthesis of NPY in the involved spinal segment thereby preventing the axonal atrophy secondary to diabetes.…”

“…Although there is no experimental data available on the effect of nano-eugenol combined with concurrent exercise in experimental animals, our preliminary findings suggest that nano-eugenol provided and enhanced the level of antioxidant support such that neuronal damages due to diabetes could be reduced, repaired or prevented in experimental animals. In this context, further research is warranted to establish the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the combination of aerobic exercise and nano-eugenol supplementation inhibit the destructive effects of diabetes in animal and human models [22,23].…”

Biomimetic and Bioinspired Intervention Strategies for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…As a common drug carrier, chitosan is often combined with traditional drugs for RA, including methotrexate, [ 160 ] dexamethasone, [ 161 ] and triptolide, [ 162 ] to increase the therapeutic effects. In a recent study, Xu et al.…”