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Impact of NSAIDS on murine antigen induced arthritis. II. A light microscopic investigation of antiinflammatory and
B J de Vries1, W B van den Berg
1Department of Rheumatology, Academic Hospital Sint Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The impact of daily, orally administered nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) or a steroid on arthritic knee joints of mice with 1-3 weeks of antigen induced arthritis (AIA) was examined by light microscopy. Prophylactic drug effects on inflammatory cell infiltrate in synovium and joint cavity were evident only in mice treated with prednisolone (0.2-5.0 mg/kg). Treatment with diclofenac, piroxicam (both 0.5-7.5 mg/kg) or tiaprofenic acid (3-30 mg/kg) did not change these phlogistic features significantly. Striking, however, was the protective effect of piroxicam on bone apposition, a common trait in murine AIA. Among the other drugs, minor antiosteophyte effects were exerted only by prednisolone. Histological assessment was also performed on osteocyte death which was almost exclusively confined to menisci and tibial subchondral bone. Because of variability in occurrence and intensity, no clear picture emerged from drug effects on this lethal feature. Combined data from this and a previous pharmacological study, directed at chondroprotective effects, points to prednisolone as the best antiinflammatory and joint protective drug.
Insights
Prednisolone effectively reduced inflammation and protected joints in mice with antigen-induced arthritis. Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) showed limited anti-inflammatory effects but piroxicam offered bone protection.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) in mice is a model for inflammatory joint disease.
- NSAIDs and steroids are commonly used to manage arthritis symptoms.
- Understanding drug efficacy in AIA is crucial for developing better treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of daily oral NSAIDs and a steroid on arthritic knee joints in mice with AIA.
- To assess the prophylactic effects of these drugs on inflammatory cell infiltration and bone changes.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy was used to examine knee joint tissues from mice with 1-3 weeks of AIA.
- Mice were treated with prednisolone, diclofenac, piroxicam, or tiaprofenic acid.
- Histological assessment focused on inflammatory cell infiltrate, bone apposition, and osteocyte death.
Main Results:
- Prednisolone significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltrate in the synovium and joint cavity.
- NSAIDs (diclofenac, piroxicam, tiaprofenic acid) showed minimal impact on inflammatory features.
- Piroxicam demonstrated a protective effect against bone apposition, while prednisolone had minor antiosteophyte effects.
Conclusions:
- Prednisolone exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory and joint-protective effects in the AIA mouse model.
- NSAIDs were less effective in reducing inflammation but piroxicam showed bone-protective properties.
- Combined data suggest prednisolone is the most beneficial drug for both anti-inflammatory and joint protection in this arthritis model.
