Taxol (paclitaxel) involution of articular cartilage destruction in collagen induced arthritis: an ultrastructural demonstration of an increased superficial chondroprotective layer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ultastructural changes of Taxol (paclitaxel) involution of articular cartilage destruction in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) and to compare with articular cartilage from normal rats.


METHODS
Forty-five Louvain rats were randomized to one of 3 protocols for structural analysis: (1) control group, (2) CIA group, and (3) Taxol treated CIA group. The latter group received 10 mg/kg body weight of Taxol at Days 10, 12, and 14 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight of Taxol on Days 16, 18, and 20 postimmunization with collagen type II. Eight days later, each group was examined by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
In Taxol treated rats, the morphology of the articular cartilage reverted to that observed in naive rats except for a striking increase in the thickness of the superficial amorphous layer covering the articular surface.


CONCLUSIONS
The involution of CIA by Taxol suggests that this agent may be useful in the clinical treatment of RA.
Arsenault
A L
AL
Department of Pathology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Lhotak
S
S
Hunter
W L
WL
Banquerigo
M L
ML
Brahn
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003094:Collagen; D005260:Female; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003094:Collagen; D017239:Paclitaxel