Micro-computed tomography evaluation and pathological analyses of female rats with collagen-induced arthritis

Imaging techniques have been introduced to assess the efficacy and toxicity of developing pharmaceuticals. The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive characterization of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and to compare the results with data from conventional pathological examination. Arthritis was induced by collagen in 24 female Wistar rats. Micro-CT and pathological analyses were performed to assess arthritis progression. Micro-CT analysis showed marked joint destruction occurring in a time-dependent manner following collagen administration. Bone volume was significantly decreased in the tibia at weeks 3 and 4 compared to week 0 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Additionally, percent bone volume was significantly reduced in the tibia at week 4 compared to week 0 (p < 0.05). In contrast, bone surface/bone volume and trabecular separation were significantly increased in the tibia of the animals at week 4 compared to week 0 (p < 0.05). Severe joint destruction with extensive inflammation, erosion of cartilage and bone, and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in the knee joints of the collagen-treated rats. Taken together, micro-CT made it possible to quantify CIA lesions and should be performed with pathological examination in rats.     

Treatment of Septic Arthritis With Acoustic Cavitation and Lavage: A Case Report

A 2-year-old Quarter Horse filly was admitted to our facility with a two-day history of trauma caused by barbed wire on the front face of the right front limb fetlock joint. A septic arthritis was confirmed with the synovial fluid examination. The cytologic evaluation of synovial fluid showed 101,000 leukocytes/mm³, 90% neutrophils, and a total protein concentration of 4 g/dL. It was, therefore, decided to perform an arthroscopic lavage using an ultrasonic device with the tip inserted inside the synovial cavity to exploit the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation. After the removal of the synovial pannus, the probe was left to vibrate in the area near the visible penetrating wound inside the joint until three liters of saline was finished. Further studies are needed for understanding and applying this technology in different equine fields and with different bacterial species. However, these first results are promising for the efficacy of this innovative procedure.     

益生菌对类风湿关节炎的改善作用研究进展

类风湿关节炎是一种威胁全球人类健康的自身免疫性疾病,肠道菌群的平衡与类风湿关节炎密切相关。由于益生菌在改善肠道菌群紊乱、恢复正常肠道菌群中发挥重要作用,因此给益生菌治疗类风湿关节炎提供了可能。本文综述类风湿关节炎病因、机制及患者肠道菌群的变化,总结近年来益生菌在治疗类风湿关节炎中的研究现状,为进一步临床试验和今后的应用提供依据。     

Successful treatment of infectious (Salmonella type III: 44) polyarthritis and osteomyelitis in a 4‐week‐old foal

This article describes the acute onset of infectious polyarthritis and osteomyelitis in a 4‐week‐old foal. Analysis of synovial fluid obtained from the left femoropatellar and right tarsocrural joints combined with clinical signs consisting of joint effusion and lameness yielded a diagnosis of septic arthritis. Bacterial culture of synovial fluid from the left stifle revealed Salmonella type III: 44. Rapid, sustained clinical improvement was noted following discontinuation of empirical antimicrobial therapy (potassium penicillin and amikacin sulphate) and initiation of treatment with ceftiofur and ampicillin. The importance of combining knowledge of veterinary pharmacology and microbiology so that appropriate antimicrobials may be selected with regard to the local environment in which they are to eradicate infection is emphasised. Despite frequent reference to amikacin sulphate as an effective antimicrobial for treating infections in foals caused by Salmonella, factors are discussed that explain why amikacin may not be clinically effective for treating infectious arthritis caused by Salmonella.     

Prostaglandin E2 receptors,EP2 and EP4, regulate expression of surface molecules and cytokines in B-cells of collagen-induced arthritic mice

AIM: To observe the immunoregulatory effects of prostaglandin E₂ receptor (EP) subtypes EP2/EP4 on the B-cells of collagen-induced arthritic(CIA)mice. METHODS: DBA/1 mice were immunized with chicken type II collagen emulsified in Freunds complete adjuvant to induce arthritis. B-cells were isolated from the splenocyte suspension by positive selection using anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody immunomagnetic beads. The expression of MHC II, CD 80 and CD86 was examined by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of EPs, interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The rank of the mRNA levels of EPs was EP2>EP1>EP3>EP4 in B-cells and EP2/EP4 mRNA expression was obviously increased in CIA mice. EP2 antagonists inhibited the expression of MHC II, CD80 and CD86. EP4 antagonist had little effect on CD80. EP2/EP4 antagonists inhibited the mRNA expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and increased the expression of IL-10 (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Furthermore, the antagonists of EP2 and EP4 also increased the mRNA expression of IL-4 and TGF-β (P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: PGE₂ modulate the pathogenesis of CIA via EP2/EP4 by regulating the expression of surface molecules and cytokines in B-cells. EP2/EP4 may be a new therapeutic target for treating rheumatoid arthritis.     

Does streptobacillary arthritis reduce house mouse population density,activity and damage to sorghum crops?

An experiment to examine the effect of streptobacillary arthritis on mouse populations was conducted in maturing sorghum crops in mouse-proofed pens. There were three treatment pens and three control pens in which mice with and without clinical signs of streptobacillary arthritis were introduced, respectively. A constant mouse density (533 mice ha⁻¹) was introduced to the pens by releasing 12 mice in each pen. The sex ratio of introduced mice was also constant by releasing in each pen nine males and three females. Mean track index was lower in treatment pens than in control pens, indicating that streptobacillary arthritis reduced the activity of mice. However, this was not translated into a reduction in other population responses. Mean mouse density at harvest, percentage of female pregnant at harvest, yield loss caused by mice and a feeding index (oil card index) did not differ significantly between treatment and control groups. A plausible explanation for these findings was that mice with the clinical signs might be less active but were able to consume as much grains as mice without the clinical signs because food was in abundant supply.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN FOALS WITH INFECTIOUS ARTHRITIS

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of foals with infectious and noninfectious arthritis are described. Six foals with infectious arthritis and three foals with noninfectious arthritis were grouped based on synovial fluid analysis results and examined with radiography and MR imaging. Four out of six foals with infectious arthritis had osseous lesions in MR images indicative of osteomyelitis and only 4/19 lesions were detected on digital radiographs. The three foals with noninfectious arthritis had no osseous lesions in MR images or radiographically. Of the six joints that had osseous lesions detected with MR imaging, three had at least one lytic lesion detected radiographically. Osseous lesions in the epiphysis, metaphysis, and physis appeared in MR images as T2W, short tau inversion recovery, and proton density hyperintense foci with a hypointense halo. The same lesions appeared hyperintense in the 3D RSSG water excitation pulse sequence but lacked a surrounding hypointense halo. Most joints of foals with infectious arthritis had heterogenous signals within the synovial fluid whereas all of the nonseptic joints had homogenous synovial fluid signals. MR imaging appears to be better than radiography in the detection of osseous lesions in foals diagnosed with infectious arthritis and may be a valuable screening test for the presence of osteomyelitis.     

类风湿关节炎治疗药物的分子作用机制研究进展

类风湿关节炎是慢性自体免疫性疾病,文章从作用于细胞因子及其受体、针对T淋巴细胞的清除、影响G蛋白偶联受体信号转导和Ras-丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶信号转导四个方面阐述了消炎免疫药物治疗类风湿性关节炎的分子作用机制。