Diacerhein versus glucosamine in a rat model of osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the chondroprotective effect of diacerein and glucosamine regarding degenerative changes and articular stiffness in an experimental model of arthritis.


METHODS
Twenty rats underwent medial meniscectomy on the right knee. Ten animals were given diacerhein, and 10 were given glucosamine, from day 1 to the third month postoperatively, when all of them were killed. Histological and functional analysis of the knees were performed (measurement of maximum extension).


RESULTS
All operated knees showed more limited extension values and more degenerative changes as compared to nonoperated contralateral sides. A comparison of the two drugs showed that the degree of articular stiffness was significantly lower with diacerein, although degenerative changes were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
1) Prophylactic use of diacerein leads to lower degree of articular stiffness when compared to glucosamine; 2) The prophylactic chondroprotective effects of diacerein and glucosamine are histologically similar.
Rezende
Márcia Uchôa de
MU
Biomechanics Laboratory, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. murezende@uol.com.br
Gurgel
Henrique Melo de Campos
HM
Vilaça Junior
Paulo Roberto
PR
Kuroba
Rogério Kawassaki
RK
Lopes
Alex Silva Santiago
AS
Phillipi
Renée Zon
RZ
Hernandez
Arnaldo José
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013264:Stifle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000880:Anthraquinones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C025292:diacerein; D005944:Glucosamine