title: Analgesic activity of a polysaccharide in experimental osteoarthritis in rats.
abstract: Viscosupplementation efficacy has been related to the high molecular weight of hyaluronic acid-like compounds, as well as to gel formulation. We evaluated the effect of a galactomannan polysaccharide derived from Guar gum (GG) in joint pain in an osteoarthritis (OA) model. Wistar rats (six animals/group) were subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT-OA group). The OA group was compared to a false-operated group (sham). Joint pain was recorded daily, using the articular incapacitation test, until 7 days after ACLT. Solutions or gel preparations of GG (100 microg) or Hylan G-F 20 (100 microg), used as a comparator, were given intraarticularly (i.a.) at day 4 after ACLT. Controls received saline i.a. The OA group had significantly increased joint pain as compared to sham (P<0.001). GG, either as a gel or solution, significantly inhibited joint pain similar to the inhibition achieved with Hylan G-F20. This is the first demonstration that a galactomannan derived from GG reduces joint pain in experimental OA. This analgesia is independent of the colloidal state. We propose that the analgesic benefit of viscosupplementation may be due to an intrinsic carbohydrate-mediated mechanism rather than to the rheologic properties of the material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rondinelle Ribeiro
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Judith Pessoa Andrade
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.forename: Pablyana Leila Rodrigues
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.forename: Francisco Airton Castro
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: da Rocha
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005690:Galactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D008351:Mannans; D010936:Plant Extracts; C012990:galactomannan; D005690:Galactose