title: Sensory and vascular changes in a rat monoarthritis model: prophylactic and therapeutic effects of meloxicam.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the ability of meloxicam prophylaxis and therapy to blunt the effect of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced monoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  First the validity of this animal model was established by examining joint changes at multiple levels after injecting CFA into the tibio-tarsal joint. Next, meloxicam (5 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered on days 0-7 (prophylactic) and on days 7-16 (therapeutic) in separate groups of animals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CFA-injected joint demonstrated hallmark histological and structural changes such as pannus formation, bone remodeling, cartilage erosion and immune cell infiltration. Both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with meloxicam effectively reduced swelling (ankle circumference), oedema and extravasation of Evans blue dye in the affected joint. Moreover, meloxicam reduced loss in range of motion and also reduced mechanical stimulus evoked pain scores. Notably, these effects persisted after discontinuing drug treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides a unique comparison of prophylactic versus therapeutic effects of meloxicam in the CFA-induced model of monoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Javeria Ali
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yashpal
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Holdsworth
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D013843:Thiazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D000077239:Meloxicam