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. 2013 Jan-Mar;11(1):76-82.
doi: 10.1590/s1679-45082013000100014.

Standardization of an experimental model suitable for studies on the effect of exercise on arthritis

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Raquel Pinheiro Gomes  1 , Elisangela Bressan, Tatiane Morgana da Silva, Monique da Silva Gevaerd, Carlos Rogério Tonussi, Susana Cristina Domenech
Affiliations

Standardization of an experimental model suitable for studies on the effect of exercise on arthritis

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Raquel Pinheiro Gomes et al. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2013 Jan-Mar.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To standardize an experimental model of chronic monoarthritis induced by complete Freund's adjuvant appropriate for the analysis of the effect of walking on nociception and on joint edema.

Methods: The following factors were evaluated as to monoarthritis induction: route and site of administration, number and interval of inoculations, Mycobacterium species, and animal gender. Wistar male and female rats (200 to 250g) received two injections of complete Freund's adjuvant containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1.0mg/mL; 50µL) or Mycobacterium butyricum (0.5mg/mL; 50µL) intra-articularly in the tibiotarsal or tibiofemoral joints, or an injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (Mycobacterium butyricum or tuberculosis) intradermally at the base of the tail and another intra-articularly (tibiotarsal or tibiofemoral). The animals were submitted to evaluations of articular disability and edema. Articular disability was assessed by paw elevation time (in seconds) during the one-minute walk test. Edema of the tibiofemoral joint was assessed by variation of joint diameter (cm). Tibiotarsal joint edema was measured by the volume of the paw (mL).

Results: Administration of complete Freund's adjuvant containing Mycobacterium butyricum increased paw elevation time and edema in both joints.

Conclusions: These data allow standardization of an animal model of chronic monoarthritis adequate for analysis of the effects of exercise on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objetivo:: Padronizar um modelo experimental de monoartrite crônica induzida por adjuvante completo de Freund apropriado à análise do efeito da deambulação na nocicepção e no edema articular.

Métodos:: Foram avaliados os seguintes fatores para a indução da monoartrite: via e local de administração, número e intervalo das inoculações, espécie de micobactéria e gênero dos animais. Para tanto, ratos Wistar machos e fêmeas (200 a 250g) receberam duas injeções de adjuvante completo de Freund contendo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1,0mg/mL; 50μL) ou Mycobacterium butiricum (0,5mg/mL; 50μL) intra-articular nas articulações tibiotársica ou tibiofemural ou, ainda, uma injeção de adjuvante completo de Freund (Mycobacterium butiricum ou tuberculosis) intradérmica na base da cauda e outra intra-articular (tibiotársica ou tibiofemural). Os animais foram submetidos à avaliação da incapacitação e edema articulares. A incapacitação articular foi avaliada pelo tempo de elevação da pata (em segundos) durante a marcha de 1 minuto. O edema da articulação tibiofemural foi avaliado pela variação do diâmetro articular (cm). O edema da articulação tibiotársica foi medido pelo volume da pata (mL).

Resultados:: A administração de adjuvante completo de Freund, contendo Mycobacterium butiricum, aumentou o tempo de elevação da pata e o edema, em ambas as articulações.

Conclusão:: Esses dados possibilitaram a padronização de um modelo animal de monoartrite crônica, adequado à análise dos efeitos do exercício no tratamento da artrite reumatoide.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: none.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Effect of two intra-articular administrations (intra-articular, days 0 and 8, 1st and 2nd arrows) of complete Freund's adjuvant containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT), in the tibiofemoral joint of male rats (MTia/MTia, n=6), on (A) disability and (B) articular diameter
Figure 2
Figure 2. Effect of the administration of complete Freund's adjuvant containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) at the base of the tail (intradermal, day 0, 1st arrow) and in the tibiofemoral joint (intra-articular, day 21, 2nd arrow) of male rats (MTid/MTia, n=6), on (A) disability and (B) articular diameter
Figure 3
Figure 3. Effect of the administration of complete Freund's adjuvant containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) at the base of the tail (intradermal, day 0), and in the tibiotarsal joint (intra-articular, day 21, 2nd arrow), of male rats (MTid/MTia, n=3), on (A) disability and (B) articular edema
Figure 4
Figure 4. Effect of the administration of complete Freund's adjuvant containing Mycobacterium butyricum (MB) with the second stimulation (intra-articular, day 21, 2nd arrow) into the tibiotarsal joint (left side: A and B) or in the tibiofemoral joint (right side: C and D) of female rats (MBid/MBia, n=6), on disability (above: A and C) and edema (below: articular edema in B; articular diameter in D)
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