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Pemetrexed ameliorates experimental arthritis in rats
Ahmet Karatas1, Suleyman Serdar Koca, Metin Ozgen
1Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
Inflammation
|August 18, 2014
Summary
Pemetrexed (PMTX) effectively treats collagen-induced arthritis in rats by reducing inflammation and protecting cartilage. This anti-folate drug shows promise as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Anti-folate drugs offer potential therapeutic avenues.
- Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) serves as a relevant animal model for RA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Pemetrexed (PMTX) in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model.
- To investigate the impact of PMTX on key inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in CIA.
- To assess the potential of PMTX as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Forty Wistar albino rats were used, randomized into four groups.
- Arthritis was induced using chicken type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant.
- Pemetrexed (PMTX) was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/week.
Main Results:
- PMTX treatment significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-17, and MDA in CIA rats.
- PMTX restored the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx, and the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1.
- Perisynovial inflammation and cartilage-bone destruction were reduced in PMTX-treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Pemetrexed (PMTX) demonstrates significant anti-arthritic effects in the CIA model.
- PMTX modulates key inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways.
- PMTX holds potential as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.
