The comparative study of Sprague–Dawley and Lewis rats in adjuvant-induced arthritis

Abstract

The outbred Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, similar to the inbred Lewis (LEW) rats, have been recently demonstrated to be highly susceptible to adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). We herein compared AIA in SD and LEW rats in terms of clinical, histological, radiological, and immuno-inflammatory features. The results showed that, following inoculation with a ground Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) suspension, SD and LEW rats manifested closely similar disease progression, with 100% incidence and similar severity. The development of arthritis was accompanied by significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels than in control rats. Radiographic examination of the hind paws showed that both SD and LEW AIA rats manifested conspicuous soft tissue swelling, bone matrix resorption, periosteal new bone formation and bone erosion, while histopathological analysis of the synovial joints revealed marked cellular infiltration, angiogenesis, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, narrowing of joint space, and cartilage and bone destruction. Moreover, in relation to disease progression, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 levels were markedly overexpressed in both SD and LEW AIA versus control rats, and SD and LEW AIA rats exhibited divergent profiles for the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the SD rat AIA model shares several arthritic features with the comparable model in LEW rats. Hence, given the more favorable characteristics of SD rats than LEW rats (i.e., lower cost, wider availability, and heterogenic background), this SD rat AIA model is more cost effective and advantageous for screening and testing novel anti-arthritic agents.

Prolactin promotes cartilage survival and attenuates inflammation in inflammatory arthritis

“…Indeed, Cyt are key mediators of CFA-induced arthritis. Their concentration and expression are significantly elevated in serum (26) and joint tissues (present results) of CFA-injected rats, respectively, and IL-1 antagonists and TNF-α-neutralizing antibodies reduce disease severity in these animals (51,52). We propose that PRL protects against CFA-induced inflammatory arthritis by reducing Cyt levels and counteracting their proapoptotic and proinflammatory actions on synovial cells, cartilage, and bone.…”

“…This model is well documented for the induction of inflammation within joint tissues and for having cartilage and bone destruction similar to that in RA (26,51). Consistent with a previous study (52), we found that CFA-induced arthritis enhances the expression of apoptotic mediators in joints and showed for the first time that apoptosis occurs in large numbers of articular chondrocytes.…”

Antioxidant potential ofGaultheria fragrantissimaagainst adjuvant induced arthritis in Wistar rats

“…Though conventional treatment with steroids, NSAIDs and biological agents such as TNF-, IL-1 antagonist can control the symptoms of acute arthritis, it is ineffective in chronic inflammation and prolonged use of those agents cause various side effects (Chandrasekaran et al, 2002). Research suggests that the use of complementary and alternative medicine, primarily herbal therapies, is a positive to treat arthritis (Cai et al, 2005). Therefore, the importance of antioxidants derived from plant origin has been increased greatly in recent years (Gülçin et al, 2004;Elmastaş et al, 2005).…”

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract of Annona muricata leaves

“…CFA-induced polyarthritis is associated with an immune-mediated inflammatory reaction, and the rat is unique in developing polyarthritis after CFA treatment (Cai et al, 2006). The initial reaction of edema and softtissue thickening at the depot site in this model is caused by the irritant effect of the adjuvant, whereas the latephase arthritis and flare in the injected foot are presumed to be immunologic events (Ward & Cloud, 1965).…”