Effect of telmisartan in collagen induced arthritis in rats

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of people worldwide irrespective of race. Regarding the pathobiology of RA, oxidative stress is an important mechanism that underlies destructive and proliferative synovitis. Telmisartan, ahighly selective ARB is receiving attention because of its properties unrelated to ATIR antagonism including partial agonism for proliferator-activated receptor [PPAR]-gamma nuclear receptor system and modulation of oxidative stress and inhibition of pro-inflammatory stimuli. Thus, the aim of this work is to study the effect of Telmisartan on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. The standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Celecoxib, was used as a reference drug for purposes of comparison. Fourty rat were randomly divided into 2 main groups. Group I 10 rats; considered as control group and received saline. Group II 30 rats were subdivided into 3 equal subgroups [10 rats/subgroup] as the following Subgroup II A considered as collagen-induced Arthritis group in which an intradermal injection at 5 to 6 sites at the base of the tail with 300 micro1 of emulsified CII. Subgroup II B Rats were treated with Celecoxib in a dose of 10 mg/kg daily intragastrically by gavage at the onset of clinical arthritis for 4 weeks. Subgroup II C Rats were treated with telmisartan in a dose of 10 mg/kg daily intragastrically by gavage at the onset of clinical arthritis for 4 weeks. Arthritis was monitored every 4 days by using a macroscopic scoring system. Rats were sacrificed at day 44 of clinical onset of arthritis [day 0], and then blood samples were collected for analysis. CIA rats showed a significant increase in ESR and MDA levels. Also, a significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes. Both Telmisartan and celecoxcibe improve oxidative stress parameters and clinical arthritis score. The present study suggests that Telmisartan treatment at the dosage of 10 mg /kg possesses anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, Telmisartan can be as a design of novel therapeutic strategies for RA