[Effect of galantamine and testosterone on the arthritic response and dopamine content in rat spleen]

The study was carried out on male Wistar rats with surgically ablated gonads. The rats with gonadectomy and intact rats received galantamine and/or testosterone over 10 days, after which the model arthritis was induced by injection of 200 ml of complete Freund's adjuvant. It was established that gonadectomy reduced arthritic reactions producing ulcer formation at a later time (21 days) as compared to control (rats with arthritis), where they are formed on the local stage of development (day 7). Testosterone replacement therapy completely blocks the development of ulcers on the paws. Galantamine suppresses the arthritic reaction more significantly, reducing paws and ankle-joint edema 1.5 and 1.3 times respectively (n = 12, p <0.05). The appearance of dopamine in the spleen during galantamine treatment may serve as a marker of protective action of the drug under hypoandrogenic conditions. Introduction of galantamine at high level of testosterone does not significantly influence on development of arthritic reaction, which is indicative of a marked imbalance between the hormonal and cholinergic systems and a possibility to modulate arthritic reaction with cholinergic drugs.