Modulation of C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in collagen-induced arthritis in Dark Agouti rats: impact of collagen concentration on severity of arthritis.

摘要

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the effect of collagen-induced arthritis in Dark Agouti (DA) rats on the level of C-reactive protein and inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). SUBJECTS: Female Dark Agouti (DA) rats. METHODS: Three different dosages of (2 mg/kg of body weight, 3 mg/kg of body weight and 4 mg/kg of body weight) collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant suspension were tested. After 45 days, serum C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, superoxide dismutase and total glutathione assays were done. Radiographic and histopathological changes in the joints were compared. RESULTS: All three groups showed signs of arthritic changes, confirmed by histopathological and radiographic changes. Severe arthritic changes were seen in the rats injected with 4 mg/kg of body weight of collagen. There was a significant increase in C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, super oxide dismutase and total glutathione levels in the plasma in arthritis rats and the changes were more significant with 4 mg/kg of collagen. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the optimal dose to inject to experimental animals in order to get server arthritic changes was 4 mg/kg of collagen with complete Freund's adjuvant suspension. Severe arthritis changes induced significant elevation in plasma C-reactive protein and TNF-alpha levels.