Effects of pentostatin (2'deoxycoformycin), an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, on type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats

The influence of superoxide scavenging compound CTC 23 on type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice

The anti-arthritic activity of the superoxide scavenging compound CTC 23 was tested in murine type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). CTC 23 demonstrated a dose-dependent prevention of the onset of CIA, with a significant reduction of disease incidence in mice receiving prophylactic administration of CTC 23 from 2.5-5 mg/kg/day. CTC 23 also delayed the development of the anti-collagen immune response, causing a significant decrease in antibody levels 14 days after immunization. CTC 23 reduced the arthritis score and number of involved limbs in mice with established CIA. The results suggest that CTC 23 acts as a disease modifying anti-arthritic compound to prevent the progression of the experimental arthritis.

Rat haptoglobin: method of quantitation and response to antiarthritic therapy in collagen arthritis

Concentrations of the acute phase reactant haptoglobin were quantitated in the serum of rats using a commercially available antihuman haptoglobin radial immunodiffusion kit. That this antiserum reacted with rat haptoglobin was shown through the techniques of Ouchterlony immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Haptoglobin levels were increased seven days after immunization of rats with type II collagen plus incomplete Freund's adjuvant (ICFA) and peaked on day 14. However, even six weeks post-immunization the concentration of haptoglobin was elevated in arthritic rats. A significant correlation was observed between the concentration of serum haptoglobin and the severity of disease (arthritic index) in rats immunized six weeks previously with type II collagen plus ICFA. The effects of antiinflammatory and antirheumatic therapy on arthritic index and serum haptoglobin concentration were determined using a therapeutic dosing protocol. Under these conditions, the known antiarthritic effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, steroids and immunosuppressive agents in this model were confirmed. Of these agents, only the nonsteroidal drugs reduced serum haptoglobin; hydrocortisone, cyclophosphamide and azathioprine elevated haptoglobin. Aurothioglucose, auranofin, and chloroquine, members of the class of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, had a general tendency to exacerbate disease, but had minimal effect on serum haptoglobin. D-Penicillamine had little effect on arthritic index and haptoglobin. These results suggest that, while haptoglobin levels do correlate with the intensity of hindpaw swelling, measurement of haptoglobin may not be an accurate indicator of the underlying disease processes in the collagen arthritis model.