Baccharis dracunculifolia DC Consumption Improves Nociceptive and Depressive-like Behavior in Rats with Experimental Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) persistently activates nociceptors, leading to chronic pain, which is often accompanied by the comorbid development of emotional impairments (anxiety and depression), an effect associated with microgliosis. Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a Brazilian edible plant, is an important source of active compounds with anti-inflammatory abilities. Thus, we evaluated its ability to reverse OA-induced nociceptive and emotional-like impairments in osteoarthritic ovariectomized female rats using the kaolin/carrageenan (K/C) model. Four weeks after OA induction, mechanical hyperalgesia was confirmed, and the treatment started. Control animals (SHAMs) were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), while arthritic animals (ARTHs) either received PBS or B. dracunculifolia 50 mg/kg (Bd50) and 100 mg/kg (Bd100), via gavage, daily for five weeks. At the end of the treatment, anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the Open Field Test (OFT), anhedonia was assessed using the Sucrose Preference Test (SPT), and learned helplessness was assessed using the Forced Swimming Test (FST). After occision, microglia were stained with IBA-1 and quantified in brain sections of target areas (prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and periaqueductal grey matter). Treatment with B. dracunculifolia extract reversed OA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and partly improved depressive-like behavior in OA animals' concomitant to a decrease in the number of M1 microglia. Our findings suggest that B. dracunculifolia extracts can potentially be used in the food industry and for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Collagenase-Induced Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis-A Thorough Flow Cytometry Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder of the joint characterized by cartilage breakdown and synovial inflammation. A number of different cells of innate and adaptive immunity contribute to joint pathology during OA inflammation. The interaction between the local synovial and systemic inflammatory cellular response and the structural changes in the joint is still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the different types of immune cells in the development of OA.

METHODS

Collagenase-induced osteoarthritis was induced in Balb/c mice; flow cytometry analysis; and histopathological damages were assessed in histological sections stained with H&E, Toluidine blue, and Safranin O.

RESULTS

Flow cytometry analysis showed B lymphocyte infiltration in the active phase of inflammation and an increase in the effector T cell population into the synovium. An increased activation state of cytotoxic T cells and of NK cell populations in the spleen and synovium was also found. The differentiation of NK cells from a cytotoxic phenotype in early OA to cells with an effector phenotype in the chronic phase of the disease followed.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of different cells contribute to inflammatory processes in OA. The correlation between their phenotype and the inflammatory pathophysiology could result in the development of novel approaches to suppress destructive changes in the joint.

Effect of Glucosamine Sulfate on Osteoarthritis in the Cruciate-Deficient Canine Model of Osteoarthritis

Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of musculoskeletal pain and disability worldwide. The investigation of disease-modifying treatment options for OA has become an important aspect of orthopedic care. To assess the effect of intra-articular and oral glucosamine sulfate (GS) versus placebo on osteoarthritis in a canine model. Materials In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) according to the Pond-Nuki model in 32 canines. All canines were allocated into 4 treatment subgroups with treatment administered for 8 weeks: GS (400 mg) intra-articular, placebo intra-articular, GS (200 mg/kg body weight) oral, and placebo oral. The contralateral nonoperated stifle (knee) served as control. After 8 weeks, the medial and lateral femoral condyles, the medial and lateral tibial plateau and patella were histologically examined and anatomic changes quantified by light microscopy using the modified Mankin score. Results After 8 weeks, mean Mankin score values significantly ( P < 0.002) decreased in the intra-articular GS group (8.1; range 7.9-8.8) compared with the intra-articular placebo group (13.9; range 11.6-15.9) and again significantly ( P < 0.002) in the oral GS group (12.1; range 9.9-12.7) compared with the oral placebo group (15.1; range 12.5-17.0). Mean Mankin score values were significantly ( P < 0.002) lower in the intra-articular GS group compared with the oral GS group. Conclusion Both, intra-articular and oral administered GS significantly reduced histological signs of OA in the Pond-Nuki model, with the intra-articular application being more effective compared to oral administration.

The chondroprotective effects of intraarticular application of statin in osteoarthritis: An experimental study

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent chronic joint disease causing pain and disability. Recent reports have shown that statin may have the potential to inhibit osteoarthritis. This study of early stage OA developed in an experimental rabbit model, aimed to evaluate the chondroprotective effects of intraarticularly applied atorvastatin on cartilage tissue macroscopically and histopathologically by examining intracellular and extracellular changes by light and electron microscope.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental knee OA model was created by cutting the anterior cruciate ligament of the 20 mature New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups of 10.

STUDY GROUP

The group that received intraarticular statin therapy;

CONTROL GROUP

The group that did not receive any intraarticular statin therapy. The control group received an intraarticular administration of saline and the study group atorvastatin from the 1(st) week postoperatively, once a week for 3 weeks. The knee joints were removed including the femoral and tibial joint surfaces for light and electron microscopic studies of articular cartilages.

RESULTS

The mean total points obtained from the evaluation of the lesions that developed in the medial femoral condyle were 11.33 ± 0.667 for the control group and 1.5 ± 0.687 for the study group. The mean total points obtained from the evaluation of the lesions that developed in medial tibial plateau cartilage tissue were 11.56 ± 0.709 for the control group and 1.40 ± 0.618 for the study group. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed healthy cartilage tissue with appropriate chondrocyte and matrix structure in study group and impaired cartilage tissue in control group.

CONCLUSION

Chondroprotective effect of statin on cartilage tissue was determined in this experimental OA model evaluated macroscopically and by light and electron microscope. There are some evidences to believe that the chondroprotective effect of the statin is that, by protecting the structure of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex.