Antioxidant effects of gold nanoparticles on early stage of collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine antioxidant effects of prophylactic treatment with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the early stage of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: The preventive treatment with 13 nm or 50 nm AuNPs injected intraarticularly (i.a.) was started at the induction day (0) of CIA and finished in the early stage of arthritis at the day 10. At the end of experiment blood indices (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocyte and erythrocyte counts), pro-/antioxidant status of blood serum (the amount of malondialdehyde, catalase and total antioxidant activity), and internal organs' weight as well as the changes in the joint tissues and their microscopic structure were evaluated. RESULTS: Both 13 nm and 50 nm AuNPs showed antioxidant effect by increasing the level of catalase activity in the early stage of experimental arthritis. Preventive treatment with 50 nm more than with 13 nm AuNPs suppressed joint swelling. Histopathological asssesment revealed statistically significant reduction of synovial angiogenesis and erosion formation in the cartilage. Pilot transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed predominant accumulation of 13 nm in the synovial fibroblast lineage cells. CONCLUSIONS: Intraarticular injections of 13 nm or 50 nm AuNPs showed an antioxidant action significantly raising catalase activity without causing negative effects on hematological indices. Prophylactic treatment with 50 nm more than with 13 nm AuNPs suppressed joint swelling, synovial angiogenesis and cartilage erosion in the initial stage of arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of herbal preparation EM 1201 in adjuvant arthritic rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the anti-arthritic and antioxidant effects of herbal and active organic ingredient complex (EM 1201) in rats with experimental adjuvant arthritis (AA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: AA was induced in 30 male Wistar rats by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the left hind paw. The course of disease in 30 rats in response to the treatment with EM 1201 and diclofenac, the parameters including body weight, joint swelling, blood indices pro-/antioxidant status of blood serum, and histology of joints and the liver, were investigated. RESULTS: Preparation EM 1201 showed anti-inflammatory effect analogous to diclofenac, improved blood indices, significantly decreased joint swelling and histological changes in them. Joint swelling was suppressed by 29%-42.8% and 9.3%-34.4% in response to administration of EM 1201 and diclofenac during the entire experiment. Both preparations significantly suppressed pannus formation, general inflammatory reaction and edema in soft periarticular tissues and synovium, diminished MDA level and elevated AOA in the blood serum. Significantly lower absolute and relative weight of the liver and lower dystrophic processes in it, and general inflammatory infiltration of hepatic stroma proved the positive effect of treatment with EM 1201. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that EM 1201 has protective activity against arthritis and demonstrated its potential beneficiary effect analogical to diclofenac. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect of EM 1201 in rats with AA support the need of further investigations by using it as supplementary agent alone or together with other anti-arthritic drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Effect of gold nanoparticles in the treatment of established collagen arthritis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The role of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases remains vague. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of AuNPs in the treatment of rats with established collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar male rats with established CIA were used. AuNPs measuring 13-nm and 50-nm were prepared according to standard procedures, and their size was determined using transmission electron microscopy. These gold particles were injected intra-articularly 5 times a week, 12 injections in total. Body and organ weight, arthritic profiles based on paw swelling, histological changes in the joints and internal organs, blood indices, and serum oxidative products were investigated. RESULTS: An examination of the course of the experimental disease and a subsequent histological analysis as well as hematological studies revealed a nontoxic effect of AuNPs on the vital organs. The treatment of the rats with established CIA by 13-nm and 50-nm gold nanoparticles decreased joint swelling by 49.7% (P<0.002) and 45.03% (P<0.01), respectively. That corresponded to the decrease in statistically significant histological changes in articular tissues. AuNPs showed their antioxidant effect by increasing the level of antioxidant enzyme catalase. CONCLUSIONS: The continuous intra-articular administration of AuNPs not only reduced the inflammation, joint swelling, and development of polyarthritis, but also reduced histological changes in articular tissues without toxic effects on the internal organs. The results obtained disclose the role of AuNPs as antioxidant agents.