Articular mobilization promotes improvement in functional and inflammatory parameters in a gouty arthritis model.

OBJECTIVE: Gouty arthritis is characterized by painful inflammation due to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joint tissues. Despite available treatments, many patients experience ineffective management and adverse effects. This study evaluated a manual therapy protocol involving passive joint mobilization at the peak of inflammation in a gouty arthritis model using functional and inflammatory parameters. METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats, 12 weeks old, were divided into two groups (n=10 each): Gouty Arthritis and Control Groups, which were further subdivided into treated and untreated groups (n=5 each). The Gouty Arthritis Group received intraarticular knee injection of 50µL of monosodium urate crystals, while the Control Group received 50µL of phosphate buffered saline. The treatment involved a 9-minutes session of grade III joint mobilization (according to Maitland). Nociception, grip strength, and edema were evaluated before induction (EV0), 7 hours after assessment (EV1), immediately after treatment (EV2), and 1 hour after treatment (EV3). The animals were euthanized, and synovial fluid was collected to analyze leukocyte migration. RESULTS: The model mimicked the signs of the Gouty Arthritis Group, with a decrease in the threshold of nociception and strength and an increase in edema and leukocyte count. The mobilization protocol significantly increased the nociceptive threshold and grip strength and reduced edema; however, it did not reverse the increase in leukocyte count. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mobilization promotes analgesia and may modulate the inflammatory process owing to reduced edema and subtle attenuation of cell migration, which contributes to strength gain.

Experimental model of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis potentiates the deleterious effects on functional capacity, leukocyte migration, synovial and periodontal tissues in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether ligature-induced periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) potentiate the deleterious effects on functional capacity, periodontal and synovial tissues, leukocyte migration, and interleukin 17 (IL-17) levels, and to investigate the repercussions of single Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) injection associated with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one male Wistar rats were randomised into six groups: control (CG, n = 8), RA (RAG, n = 9), periodontitis (PG, n = 9), periodontitis and RA (PRAG, n = 9), periodontitis and intradermal injection (PIDG, n = 9), and periodontitis and intra-articular injection (PIAG, n = 7). The animals underwent ligature placement and one or two injections with FCA to induce RA. Motor disability, nociceptive threshold, joint edema, and muscle strength were assessed, and the animals were euthanized on day 30. Synovial fluid, hemimandibles, and knee joints were collected. RESULTS: PRAG showed no reduction of edema or improvement of muscle strength, whereas it showed most significant changes in leukocyte migration, morphological analyses of the synovial membrane (SM), and radiographic and histometric analyses of the jaw. The PIAG showed some alterations, though not permanent. CONCLUSION: Ligature-induced periodontitis and RA induced by two FCA injections accentuated the deleterious effects on functional capacity, leukocyte migration, synovial and periodontal tissues.

Articular mobilization promotes improvement in functional and inflammatory parameters in a gouty arthritis model

ABSTRACT Objective Gouty arthritis is characterized by painful inflammation due to the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joint tissues. Despite available treatments, many patients experience ineffective management and adverse effects. This study evaluated a manual therapy protocol involving passive joint mobilization at the peak of inflammation in a gouty arthritis model using functional and inflammatory parameters. Methods Twenty male Wistar rats, 12 weeks old, were divided into two groups (n=10 each): Gouty Arthritis and Control Groups, which were further subdivided into treated and untreated groups (n=5 each). The Gouty Arthritis Group received intraarticular knee injection of 50µL of monosodium urate crystals, while the Control Group received 50µL of phosphate buffered saline. The treatment involved a 9-minutes session of grade III joint mobilization (according to Maitland). Nociception, grip strength, and edema were evaluated before induction (EV0), 7 hours after assessment (EV1), immediately after treatment (EV2), and 1 hour after treatment (EV3). The animals were euthanized, and synovial fluid was collected to analyze leukocyte migration. Results The model mimicked the signs of the Gouty Arthritis Group, with a decrease in the threshold of nociception and strength and an increase in edema and leukocyte count. The mobilization protocol significantly increased the nociceptive threshold and grip strength and reduced edema; however, it did not reverse the increase in leukocyte count. Conclusion Our results suggest that mobilization promotes analgesia and may modulate the inflammatory process owing to reduced edema and subtle attenuation of cell migration, which contributes to strength gain.