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The effect of mud-bath therapy on bone status in rats during adjuvant subchronic arthritis
Helena Zivná1, Ljiljana Maric, Iveta Gradosová
1Radioisotope Laboratories and Vivarium, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
Introduction:
We studied influence of mud-bath on bone status in male Wistar rats with subchronic arthritis.
Methods:
Arthritis was induced by 2 subplantar injections of Freund's adjuvans with heat-killed Streptoccocus pyogenes into paw. Groups: intact (int) on chippings; (con) arthritis on chippings; (san38) arthritis on hot sand; (mu38) arthritis on hot mud; (mu21) arthritis on mild mud. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and femurs were tested biomechanically. Bone markers osteocalcin (OC), PINP and CTX were analysed in bone.
Results:
BMD of right femur decreased vs. left in san38 (p = 0.030) and mu38 (p = 0.047). Fracture load of right/left femur (N) decreased in experimental groups, significantly in san38 (p = 0.05). Fracture threshold of neck decreased in right vs. left in experimental groups, but significantly in san38 (p = 0.05). OC decreased in mu38 vs. con (1.84 +/- 0.14/2.62 +/- 0.23). PINP decreased in int vs. san38 (p = 0.005) and mu21 (p < 0.001). CTX decreased in int vs. mu38 (p = 0.006) and mu21 (p = 0.005).
Conclusion:
The hot bath appears indifferent in relation to osteoporosis, while cold mud-bath shows good effect on bone metabolism. The cold mud-baths help to reduce arthritic inflammation and pain and thereby lead to higher mobility with positive consequence on bone.
Insights
Cold mud-baths positively impact bone metabolism in arthritic rats, reducing inflammation and pain for improved mobility and bone health. Hot sand and mud baths showed no benefit and potentially negative effects on bone status.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Rheumatology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Subchronic arthritis negatively impacts bone status.
- Investigating the therapeutic potential of mud-baths for arthritis-related bone complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of different mud-bath conditions on bone status in male Wistar rats with induced subchronic arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Arthritis induced via Freund's adjuvans and Streptoccocus pyogenes.
- Experimental groups included intact, arthritis control, hot sand, hot mud, and mild mud baths.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; femurs tested biomechanically; bone turnover markers (osteocalcin, PINP, CTX) analyzed.
Main Results:
- BMD decreased in the right femur in hot sand (san38) and hot mud (mu38) groups compared to the left.
- Fracture load and threshold of the femur decreased significantly in the hot sand group.
- Bone turnover markers showed varied changes, with decreases in osteocalcin, PINP, and CTX observed in specific experimental groups compared to controls or intact rats.
Conclusions:
- Hot mud and sand baths did not improve, and may negatively affect, bone status in arthritic rats.
- Mild (cold) mud-baths demonstrated a positive effect on bone metabolism.
- Cold mud-baths may reduce arthritic inflammation and pain, leading to increased mobility and beneficial effects on bone health.