Abstract:
Summary: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), is a pivotal transcription factor involved in the activation of the
TNF-a and IL-1b genes. Activation of NF-kB in synovial cells is a feature seen in arthritis patients.
Resveratrol, a polyphenolic, natural phytoalexin found with particularly high levels in grape skin and red
wine is potent and specific inhibitor of TNF-! and IL-1b induced NF-kB activation. We aimed to determine
the in vivo effects of intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and synovium in an experimental
rabbit inflammatory arthritis model.
Materials and methods: Arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of three times of 50 mg
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at day 0, 4 and 8 at 4-day intervals into the knee joints of rabbits. To the test
group, 10 mMol/kg resveratrol in the DMSO was injected in the knees at day 0 and then it was continued
once daily for 2 weeks. To the control group the same time and amount of DMSO was injected the knees of
rabbits. All rabbits were killed 1 week after the last injection and cartilage tissue and synovium were
evaluated with semiquantitative scoring histologically.
Results: According to control group in the resveratrol group, significantly decreased cartilage destruction
was determined by H&E staining (p = 0.04). Loss of matrix proteoglycan content in the cartilage was much
lower, as determined by safranin O staining (p = 0.03). We also observed marked synovial inflammation
after intra-articular injection to control knees, but not in the resveratrol treated group knees (p = 0.01).
Conclusion: This study suggests that intra-articular injection of resveratrol may protect cartilage against the
development of experimentally induced IA.
Description:
Inflammation, Vol. 30, Nos. 1Y2, April 2007 ( 2006)
