title: Protective effect of an extract from Ascaris suum in experimental arthritis models.
abstract: We investigated the effect of an extract from a helminth (Ascaris suum) in zymosan-induced arthritis (ZYA) or collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Rats and mice, respectively, received 1 mg and 0.1 mg zymosan intra-articularly (i.a.). Test groups received an A. suum extract either per os (p.o.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 min prior to i.a. zymosan. Controls received saline. Hypernociception was measured using the articular incapacitation test. Cell influx, nitrite, and cytokine levels were assessed in joint exudates. The synovia and distal femoral extremities were used for histopathology. Cartilage damage was assessed through determining glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. DBA/1J mice were subjected to CIA. The test group received A. suum extract i.p. 1 day after CIA became clinically detectable. Clinical severity and hypernociception were assessed daily. Neutrophil influx was determined using myeloperoxidase activity. The A. suum extract, either i.p. or p.o., significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cell influx and hypernociception in ZYA in addition to reducing GAG loss and ameliorating synovitis. The A. suum extract reduced i.a. levels of NO, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-10 but not tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in rats subjected to ZYA while reducing i.a. IL-10, but not IL-1beta or TNF-alpha, levels in mice. Clinically, mice subjected to CIA treated with the A. suum extract had less severe arthritis. Hypernociception, myeloperoxidase activity, and synovitis severity were significantly reduced. These data show that a helminth extract given p.o. protects from arthritis severity in two classical arthritis models. This A. suum effect is species independent and functions orally and parenterally. The results show clinical and structural benefits when A. suum extract is given either prophylactically or therapeutically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60115281, Brazil. arocha@ufc.br
authors.forename: Francisco Airton Castro
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Ana Karine Rocha Melo
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Margarida Maria Lima
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pompeu
authors.forename: Thiago Mattar
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Waldiceu A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Verri
authors.forename: Fernanda Macedo
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Rondinelle Ribeiro
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Fernando Queiroz
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017165:Ascaris suum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003094:Collagen / Q000633:toxicity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D059408:Pain Management; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015054:Zymosan / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D003094:Collagen; D015054:Zymosan