Comparative pathological study of the effect of different antioxidants on arthritis-induced in rats

Abstract EN

Objectives: in the present study, the possible effects of vitamins C and E, allopurinol (Alio), and aqueous extract of green tea (GTE) on pathological changes induced by RA in rats were investigated.

The oxidative stress indices and prostaglandin E2 were evaluated. Methods: Sixty male rats were divided into six groups (10 rats each): control group, collagen II-induced RA group (C II group), CII group treated with allopurinol (C 11+ Alio), CII group treated with vitamin C (CII + Vit.

C), CII group treated with vitamin E (CII + Vit E) and CII group treated with green tea extract (GTE) (CII + GTE).

After 6 weeks of antioxidants treatment, the plasma levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO) were assessed.

All animals were sacrificed.

The joints from all groups were excised and submittedfor pathological examination.

Results: In C II-treated group, there were severe pathological changes with marked inflammatory and destructive processes in the joints.

The levels of LPO, NO, and PGE2, were significantly higher than controls.

In both CII + Alio and the CII + GTE treated groups, the destructive changes were less while the inflammatory reaction was mild.

The inflammatory reaction was moderate with vitamin E and minimal with vitamin C treated group.

Least destructive changes were detected in Vitamin C group.

The levels of PGE2, LPO, and NO, were significantly decreased in all antioxidants treated groups in comparison with CII—treated group.

The percent reductions in the mean levels of LPO, NO and PGE2 among different antioxidant-treated groups were different.

Conclusions, antioxidants reduce free radical generation and improve antioxidant status in RA.

GTE, allopurinol and vitamins C and E may effectively normalize -to different degrees- the impaired oxidant / antioxidant system and may be useful in modifying the pathological changes, delaying the complications and reducing the morbidity of RA.