Experimental evidence on the beneficial effect of early treatment with etanercept in juvenile idiophatic arthritis

Revista Romana de PEDIATRIE | Volumul LXI, Nr. 1, An 2012

ISSN 1454-0398 | e-ISSN 2069-6175
ISSN-L 1454-0398
DOI: 10.37897/RJP

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Elena Simona Tucaliuc, Ionela Lăcrămioara Şerban, Cristina Oprişa, Loredana Hurjui, M.M. Hogaş, D. Tucaliuc, D.N. Şerban and Stela Gotia

ABSTRACT

Systemic inflammatory status is involved in early vascular lesions. Adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats is a commonly used experimental model of arthritis due to common features with rheumatoid arthritis in humans.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine endothelio-dependent relaxation impairment generated by use of immunomodulatory therapy, etanercept.

Material and method: We used male, adult Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g. Arthritis was induced by a single intradermal injection of 0,1 ml complet Freund adjuvant into the plantar surface of the right hind-foot. Arthritis severity was quantified by pletismometry method. Etanercept therapy was performed twice a week, starting on day 22 post-adjuvant injection for 21 days. Vascular reactivity was performed on popliteal artery. After preconstriction with phenylephrine, we determined the vasodilatory response to acetylcholine.

Results: Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in popliteal artery rings was significantly impaired in adjuvantinduced arthrits rats, compared to control rats. Etanercept reduces endothelial dysfunction in adjuvantinduced athritis rats.

Conclusions: Inflammatory status causes significant endothelial dysfunction in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. Imunomodulatory therapy with etanercept significantly improves endothelial dysfunction.

Key words: endothelial dysfunction, adjuvant-induced arthritis, etanercept, rat

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