The therapeutic effect of a combination of cofpropamine, a caffeine derivative, and cyclophosphamide on the development of adjuvant arthritis of rats and collagen arthritis of mice

Evaluation of the cholesterol influence in type II collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice: an autoradiographic study

In order to verify the cholesterol influence in RA severity in DBA/1J mice, we quantified the cholesterol present in the knee joints of normal (N) and with collagen II induced arthritis (CIA). Forty male DBA/1J mice, were divided in normal (n=20) and CIA group (n=20). Mice in CIA group were injected with 100 microg of collagen II emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. Sixteen DBA/1J (8 N and 8 CIA) received an injection of 2.96 x 10(6) Bq of (3)H-cholesterol and were anesthetized and sacrificed. Semi-fine sections were covered with LM-1 emulsion, exposed for six weeks and developed. Collagen induced edema, erythema and dysfunction of knee joints in CIA group. Radioactive cholesterol was located more on the synovial membrane, where we found the greatest density of silver grains, significantly (P<0.0001) higher in group CIA vs. controls (61-/+2.3 X 18-/+0.7). We conclude that the cholesterol deposits on the synovial membrane is related to CIA severity.

Enhancing the inhibitory effect of nicotinamide upon collagen II induced arthritis in mice using N-acetylcysteine

We could show that both nicotinamide and N-acetylcysteine inhibit collagen induced arthritis in mice. In the present paper, using lower doses of each, we applied combinations of these two substances. We were able to confirm potentiating effects of these combinations. These results may allow new perspectives for the therapy of arthritis to emerge.

Enhancement of the effect of methotrexate on collagen II induced arthritis in mice by nicotinamide

Treatment with a combination of 10 mg/kg i.p. methotrexate and 100 mg/kg i.p. nicotinamide inhibits the development of collagen II induced arthritis in male DBA/1 X B.10(4R) mice, as assessed by the arthritic index and whole blood chemiluminescence. The effect is much more pronounced than with either methotrexate or nicotinamide alone at the same concentrations. Determination of GOT and GPT levels in the blood revealed that the treatment causes no toxic side effects on the liver.