Tenidap and flurbiprofen enhance uptake of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor 4-dedimethylaminotetracycline in inflamed joints of adjuvant arthritic rats.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify a mechanism by which a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor might act synergistically with other agents to decrease MMP activity and thereby lessen the radiologic severity of adjuvant arthritis. METHODS: Rats with adjuvant arthritis were treated with either flurbiprofen (FBP) or tenidap (TDP), along with 4-dedimethylaminotetracycline (CMT-1), a potent MMP inhibitor. Indices of inflammatory severity and of radiologic destruction were assessed and compared to serum and bone levels of the MMP inhibitor. RESULTS: Combination therapy with the MMP inhibitor plus either of the other drugs led to synergistic improvement in radiologic severity. For example, CMT-1 combined with TDP reduced radiologic severity 45% while decreasing collagenase and gelatinase activities by 61 and 72%, respectively, more than doubling bone CMT-1 levels (7.6 micrograms/g to 16.4 micrograms/g). FBP had similar effects. CONCLUSION: MMP inhibitors need access to the arthritic joint to interact with their target enzymes. Concomitant antiinflammatory therapy is required to assure drug entry into the inflamed tissues.