[The investigation of immunological effects of the new balneotherapeutic preparation glinofir used for the treatment of adjuvant arthritis]. / Izuchenie immunologicheskikh effektov novogo bal'neologicheskogo sredstva glinofir pri ad''yuvantnom artrite.

AIM: The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of a course of application of the modified natural factors on the immunological mechanisms of regulation under experimental conditions with special reference to the application of the natural yellow clay, the clay from the Novo-Pyatigorsk quarry (the lake Tambokan) and of the new balneotherapeutic preparation glinofir based on this modified clay and designed for the treatment of adjuvant arthritis (AA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study of anti-inflammatory activity of the externally applied balneomedicines was carried out with the use of an animal model of adjuvant arthritis. The course of applications started 3 days prior to the initiation of AA and was terminated on the 24th day of the experimental disease. The action of three balneotherapeutic preparations (Tambukan mud, yellow clay, and modified clay in the form of Glinofir) was compared after they were heated to 42 °C and applied to the animals' limbs for 15-20 minutes every second and third days. The experiments were performed on Wistar rats (n=59) divided into five groups. Group 1 was comprised of 9 healthy animals that served as controls. The animals of group 2 (n=10) presented with untreated experimentally-induced adjuvant arthritis, those of Group 3 (n=10) had model AA treated by a course of application of the Tambukan mud. The animals of group 4 (n=10) had model AA and were treated by the application of the yellow clay and those of Group 5 (n=10) with model of AA received a course of application of the modified clay. RESULTS: On day 37 after the induction of adjuvant arthritis, the animals developed leukocytosis (white blood cell count in the blood was 1.5 times higher than in the control group) and alterations in the composition of the lymphocyte population, viz. B-lymphocytes increased 2-2.5 times (p<0,02) while T-lymphocytes decreased (p<0,05). A course of glinofir application contributed to the restoration of the T-cytotoxic cell population (p<0,2) and influenced the regulation of pathological immune complexes (PIC) as confirmed the negative correlation between the PIC level and the absolute number of T-cytotoxic cells (r=-0,8, p<0,01). The chronic stage of AA was associated with a two-fold increase in the absorptive capacity of neutrophils. The treatment with the Tambukan mud and glinofir restored the phagocytic function of neutrophils and simultaneously reduced the blood leukocyte reaction. CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory action of the Tambukan mud and glinofir manifests itself in the unidirectional changes of dynamics of the characteristics of cellular and humoral immunity.

Efeito do exercício aeróbico em modelo experimental de artrite / Effect of aerobic exercise on an experimental model of arthritis

INTRODUÇÃO: A artrite reumatoide é uma doença inflamatória sistêmica autoimune que acomete preferencialmente as articulações, mas também outros tecidos, como o músculo esquelético. A perda de massa muscular determina uma grande repercussão na funcionalidade e qualidade de vida desses pacientes e o exercício físico surge como uma alternativa terapêutica para esse acometimento. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do exercício físico aeróbico moderado sobre a perda muscular em artrite induzida por colágeno (CIA). MÉTODOS: Esse é um estudo-piloto em que CIA foi induzida em camundongos machos DBA1/J divididos em dois grupos: (i) animais com exercício (EXE, n=5), (ii) animais sem exercício (semEXE, n=4). Foram avaliados o escore clínico, o edema da pata traseira, o peso do animal e a locomoção espontânea periodicamente. Após a morte, a histopatologia da articulação tibiotarsal e a área da miofibra dos músculos gastrocnêmio e tibial anterior foram avaliados. Significância foi considerada se p<0,05.RESULTADOS: Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos nos parâmetros de atividade da doença, peso e locomoção espontânea. Entretanto, a histopatologia da articulação demonstrou redução da erosão cartilaginosa no grupo EXE. Também se observou aumento significativo na área seccional da miofibra do grupo EXE, representando uma diferença média de 24%. CONCLUSÃO: Este é o primeiro estudo com exercício aeróbico moderado em esteira em modelo experimental de artrite. O protocolo de exercício testado não parece impactar no desenvolvimento clínico da doença, mas demonstrou benefício sobre a perda muscular consequente da artrite, reduzindo a atrofia da miofibra.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects primarily the joints, but also other tissues such as skeletal muscle. Muscle wasting significantly impairs the functionality and quality of life of patients with RA and physical exercise is an alternative therapy for this outcome. AIM: To evaluate the effect of moderate aerobic physical exercise on muscle loss caused by collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: This is a pilot study in which CIA was induced in DBA/1J mice divided into two groups: (i) animals which exercised (EXE, n=5), (ii) animals which did not exercise (semEXE, n=4). Clinical score, hind paw swelling, weight, and spontaneous locomotion were evaluated periodically. After death, the histopathological score of the ankle and the myofiber area of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were evaluated. Significance was considered when p<0.05. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between groups regarding clinical parameters of disease activity, animal weight, and spontaneous locomotion. However, joint histopathology demonstrated a decrease in cartilage erosion in the EXE group. There was also significant difference in the myofiber sectional area, with a 24% increase in the EXE group. CONCLUSION: This is the first interventional study with moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill in an arthritis experimental model. The tested exercise program does not seem to have a clinical impact on the process of arthritis. However, it has a positive effect on muscle wasting caused by arthritis, demonstrated mainly by the reduction of myofiber atrophy.

Reduction of pain-related behaviors with either cold or heat treatment in an animal model of acute arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of heat and cold on quantifiable pain behaviors in an animal model of arthritis that minimizes the motivational-affective component of pain. DESIGN: The effects of superficial heat (40 degrees C) and cold (4 degrees C) on pain behaviors in rats with knee joint inflammation were tested before and after induction of inflammation and after treatment with heat or cold. SUBJECTS: Joint inflammation was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intra-articular injection of the knee joint with 3% kaolin and 3% carrageenan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Withdrawal latency to heat applied to the paw (PWL) assessed secondary hyperalgesia; spontaneous pain behaviors assessed degree of weight bearing/ guarding; and joint circumference assessed joint swelling. RESULTS: Cold treatment of the inflamed knee joint significantly reversed the PWL immediately after treatment (p = .003) without affecting spontaneous pain behaviors orjoint circumference. In contrast, heat treatment produced a small but significant decrease in spontaneous pain behaviors (p = .03) without affecting PWL or joint circumference. CONCLUSION: Acute arthritic pain can be treated with either superficial heat for reducing guarding or with cold for reducing pain or hyperalgesia outside the injury site.

[An experimental rationale for the use of sulfide sludge in adjuvant arthritis]. / Eksperimental'noe obosnovanie primeneniia ilovoi sul'fidnoi griazi pri ad''iuvantnom artrite.

The experiments on 176 Wistar rats were performed for the first time to clarify mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory action of the Deshembinskoe Lake mud in experimental arthritis. The new data obtained gave evidence supporting application of Deshembinskoe Lake mud in inflammatory diseases of the joints.