title: Gender differences and protective effects of testosterone in collagen induced arthritis in rats.
abstract: To understand the gender differences noticed in autoimmune disorders, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, we used a rat model of collagen induced arthritis (CIA). This study was carried out in two parts. In the first study, severity of inflammation was compared between male and female rats with respect to radiology, histology, activities of lysosomal enzymes, lipid peroxidation, immune response to type II collagen and the level of prostaglandin, a major inflammatory mediator. Since female rats developed severe inflammation, this study was extended to confirm if testosterone at physiological concentration had protective effect against CIA. Hence, studies were carried out on the effect of testosterone application on castrated arthritic rats. Female arthritic rats were also treated with testosterone to find out the effectiveness of the androgen in the presence of female hormones. Results of this study conclusively showed that testosterone possessed significant anti-inflammatory effects at physiological concentration and exerted its action in a gender nonspecific manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Kalaivani
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.forename: Ramasamy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Selvam
authors.forename: Radhakrishnan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abhirami
authors.forename: K V S Narayana
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: Bhakthavatchalam Murali
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Manohar
authors.forename: Rengarajulu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puvanakrishnan
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000276:immunology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D024043:Collagen Type II; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D015232:Dinoprostone