title: Effect of gold nanoparticles in the treatment of established collagen arthritis in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases remains vague. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of AuNPs in the treatment of rats with established collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 Wistar male rats with established CIA were used. AuNPs measuring 13-nm and 50-nm were prepared according to standard procedures, and their size was determined using transmission electron microscopy. These gold particles were injected intra-articularly 5 times a week, 12 injections in total. Body and organ weight, arthritic profiles based on paw swelling, histological changes in the joints and internal organs, blood indices, and serum oxidative products were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An examination of the course of the experimental disease and a subsequent histological analysis as well as hematological studies revealed a nontoxic effect of AuNPs on the vital organs. The treatment of the rats with established CIA by 13-nm and 50-nm gold nanoparticles decreased joint swelling by 49.7% (P<0.002) and 45.03% (P<0.01), respectively. That corresponded to the decrease in statistically significant histological changes in articular tissues. AuNPs showed their antioxidant effect by increasing the level of antioxidant enzyme catalase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The continuous intra-articular administration of AuNPs not only reduced the inflammation, joint swelling, and development of polyarthritis, but also reduced histological changes in articular tissues without toxic effects on the internal organs. The results obtained disclose the role of AuNPs as antioxidant agents.
authors.affiliation: State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania. laima.leonaviciene@ekmi.vu.lt
authors.forename: Laima
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leonavičienė
authors.forename: Gailutė
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kirdaitė
authors.forename: Rūta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bradūnaitė
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaitkienė
authors.forename: Audrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasiliauskas
authors.forename: Danguolė
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zabulytė
authors.forename: Almira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramanavičienė
authors.forename: Arūnas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramanavičius
authors.forename: Teisutis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ašmenavičius
authors.forename: Zygmunt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mackiewicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D006046:Gold; D002374:Catalase