[Comparative study between some antioxidants on bio indices in rheumatoid arthritis induced in rats]

Rat collagen II-induced arthritis is a model of chronic inflammation induced by Mycobacterium butyricum and collagen II. It is characterized by similar pathophysiological and pathobiochemical changes as rheumatoid arthritis [RA] in humans. In the present study, the biochemical and histopathological effects of vitamins C, and aqueous extract of green tea [GTE] on RA of rats were investigated. The oxidative stress indices and prostaglandin E were evaluated. Forty male rats were divided into four groups [10 rats each]: control group, collagen II-induced RA group [C II group], CII group treated with vitamin C [C II+ Vit. C], and CII group treated with green tea extract [GTE] [C II+ GTE]. After 6 weeks of antioxidants treatment, the plasma levels of lipid peroxides [LPO], nitric oxide [NO], superoxide dismutase [SOD], uric acid [UA] and glutathione [GSH] were detected using colorimetric methods. The plasma levels of prostaglandins E2 [PGE2] were measured using ELISA assay. In C II treated group, the levels of LPO, NO, PGE2, and UA, were significantly higher but the levels of SOD, and GSH were significantly lower than controls. The levels of SOD, and GSH were significantly increased but the levels of PGE2, and NO were significantly decreased in the vitamin C treated group. In the C II+ GTE group, the levels of PGE2, LPO, and NO were significantly decreased but the levels of GSH, and SOD were significantly increased in comparison with C II-treated group. The histological changes were comparable among different groups. our study suggests proper antioxidant intake management may reduce free radical generation and improve antioxidant status in RA. GTE, and vitamins C may effectively normalize in different degrees the impaired the oxidant/ antioxidant system and may be useful in delaying the complication of RA. Moreover, these antioxidants display anti-inflammatory action by alleviating foot swelling and decreasing PGE2 level in RA

[Effects of green tea extract on experimentally induced toxicosis of carrageenan in male albino rats]

Green tea extract [GTE] is rich in polyphenolic compounds whose antioxidant activity is several fold higher than that of vitamins C and E. In the present study, the effect of GTE on the carrageenan toxicosis in male albino rats using intra-articular injection of 0.1 ml of carrageenan solution was investigated. Three groups of 10 rats each were used: Control, Carrageenan alone, and carrageenan plus GTE. After one week of treatment, the plasma levels of lipid -peroxides and nitric oxide as well as total thiol were measured. The histopathological examination of the liver, spleen and kidneys of the three groups were performed .Animals treated with carrageenan alone showed significant increase value in the levels of both lipid peroxides and nitric oxide in comparison to the control group. In rats that received GTE, the changes in plasma levels of lipid peroxides and nitric oxide were not statistically present from the control group, while the total thiol levels in the GTE group were significantly increased [p<0.05] in comparison with carrageenan only and control groups