Anti-inflammatory effect of bee venom on antigen-induced arthritis in rabbits: influence of endogenous glucocorticoids.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the involvement of endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) in the anti-arthritic properties of bee venom (BV) on antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) in rabbits.


METHODS
BV (1.5-6 microg/kg/day) was injected for 7 days before AIA induction, whereas the control group received sterile saline. The total and differential leukocyte count, PGE(2) levels in synovial fluid and synovial membrane cell infiltrate were evaluated. The contribution of GCs to BV action was assessed in rabbits treated with BV plus metyrapone, an inhibitor of GC synthesis, or RU-38 486, a steroid antagonist.


RESULTS
Treatment with BV (1.5 microg/kg/day) reduced the leukocyte count and PGE(2) level (18571+/-1909 cells/mm(3) and 0.49+/-0.05 ng/mL, respectively) as well as the cellular infiltrate compared with the control group (40968+/-5248 cells/mm(3) and 2.92+/-0.68 ng/mL, p<0.05). The addition of metyrapone to BV treatment completely reversed the inhibition of AIA, whereas RU-38 486 was ineffective.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that bee venom treatment prevents the development of antigen-induced arthritis in rabbits through the action of GCs.
Saad Rached
Izabella Cordeiro Freire
IC
Allergy and Clinical Immunology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 01246-903, Brazil.
Castro
Fábio Morato
FM
Guzzo
Maria Luiza
ML
de Mello
Suzana Beatriz Veríssimo
SB
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000502:physiology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011817:Rabbits
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000941:Antigens; D001514:Bee Venoms; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015735:Mifepristone; D015232:Dinoprostone; D008797:Metyrapone