Colchicine-responsive protracted gouty arthritis with systemic inflammatory reactions

Relief effects of Laoshan cherry extracts as a dietary supplement against the symptoms of acute gouty arthritis in rats induced by urate crystals

We evaluated the effects of Laoshan cherry as a food or dietary supplement on relieving the symptoms of acute gouty arthritis in rats induced by urate crystals. Rats in groups of 10 were given Laoshan cherry functional extracts at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg by oral gavage for 21 days and then injected with a sodium nitrate suspension in the rear ankle area as an induced acute gouty arthritis model. The ankle swelling and inflammations in the model (no treatment) group increased significantly compared with blank group; the ankle inflammations reduced in experimental groups receiving three different doses of the cherry extract and the joint swelling reduced in the high-dose group by 43% compared with the model group. Serum uric acid and xanthine oxidase activities were also elevated in the model group and these parameters were reduced by a maximum of 8% and 33%, respectively, in the rats receiving the cherry extracts. The serum levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in the high-dose group decreased by 12% compared with the model group. These results demonstrated that the cherries possess a functional substance that has a significant alleviating effect on the symptoms of gouty arthritis in rats induced by sodium urate injection.

Isovitexin alleviates acute gouty arthritis in rats by inhibiting inflammation via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway

CONTEXT

The prevalence of gout has greatly increased, and it has become the most common inflammatory arthritis in men. Isovitexin possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

OBJECTIVE

We explored the effects of isovitexin on rats with acute gouty arthritis (GA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five groups: sham, model, positive (colchicine, 0.3 mg/kg), isovitexin (100 mg/kg), TLR4 inhibitor (TAK-242, 3 mg/kg) and isovitexin + TAK-242. The gait of rats and the ankle joint swelling index were monitored. The levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6, and pathological changes in the synovial tissues were determined.

RESULTS

Isovitexin significantly reduced the ankle joint swelling index at day 7 compared to that in the model group (4.39 ± 1.01 vs. 6.09 ± 1.31). Moreover, isovitexin alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells and ameliorated the proliferation of synovial cells. The levels of TNF-α (93.42 ± 5.02 pg/mL), IL-1β (25.46 ± 1.91 pg/mL) and IL-6 (194.71 ± 7.92 pg/mL) in the isovitexin group were significantly lower than in the model group (129.39 ± 5.43, 39.60 ± 2.71 and 223.77 ± 5.35 pg/mL). The expression of TLR4, MyD88 and p-NF-κB-p65 was remarkably decreased after isovitexin and colchicine treatment. The effect of isovitexin was similar to that colchicine. Furthermore, the combination of isovitexin and TAK-242 had better effect, and there was no significantly difference with colchicine treatment.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Isovitexin ameliorates joint inflammation in acute GA via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Isovitexin may be a potential substitute medicine for GA.

LC-MS Analysis of Serum for the Metabolomic Investigation of the Effects of Pulchinenoside b4 Administration in Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Gouty Arthritis Rat Model

Gouty arthritis (GA) is commonly caused by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals within the joint capsule, bursa, cartilage, bone, or other periarticular tissues after chronic hyperuricemia. Clinically, GA is characterized by acute episodes of joint inflammation, which is most frequently encountered in the major joints, and also has a significant impact on quality of life. Pulchinenoside b4(P-b4) has a wide range of biological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. Currently, the anti-GA activity and metabolomic profiles after being treated by P-b4 have not been reported. In this paper, for the first time, we have performed a non-targeted metabolomics analysis of serum obtained from an MSU crystal-induced GA rat model intervened by P-b4, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. In this study, the main pharmacodynamics of different dosing methods and dosages of P-b4 was firstly investigated. Results have shown that P-b4 possesses high anti-inflammatory activity. These results demonstrated changes in serum metabolites with 32 potential biomarkers. Arachidonic acid, sphingolipid, and glycerophospholipid metabolism are considered to be the most relevant metabolic pathway with P-b4 treatment effect in this study. Moreover, the changes of metabolites and the self-extinction of model effects within 24 h reveals important information for GA diagnostic criteria: The regression of clinical symptoms or the decline of some biochemical indicators cannot be regarded as the end point of GA treatment. Furthermore, our research group plans to conduct further metabolomics research on the clinical course of GA.

Familial Mediterranean fever: overview of pathogenesis, clinical features and management

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common monogenic autoinflammatory disease, and is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and polyserositis. It is associated with mutations in the MEFV gene encoding pyrin, which result in inflammasome activation and the uncontrolled production of IL-1β. FMF mainly affects individuals originating from the Mediterranean basin; however, a Japanese nationwide survey demonstrated that FMF is not uncommon in Japan. The survey also indicated that Japanese FMF patients are clinically or genetically distinct from Mediterranean FMF patients, suggesting a genotype-phenotype correlation. In Japanese patients with FMF, MEFV exon 10 mutations are associated with the more typical FMF phenotype. Conversely, Japanese FMF patients with mutations in MEFV exons 2 or 3 present with an atypical FMF phenotype. Colchicine is the mainstay of FMF treatment, and its regular use prevents febrile attacks and decreases the long-term risk of AA amyloidosis. However, a minority of FMF patients are colchicine-resistant, and anti-IL-1 treatment has proven beneficial in suppressing inflammation in these patients. Although Japanese FMF patients may develop less severe disease compared with Mediterranean FMF patients, they should nevertheless be treated early to prevent recurrent attacks and the subsequent development of AA amyloidosis.