title: Hyperbilirubinemia decreases physiological markers in adjuvant-induced arthritis.
abstract: There is evidence that a higher serum level of bilirubin (BIL) may be a protective factor for autoimmune diseases. We examined the effect of BIL supplementation in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) where oxidative stress, inflammation and inadequate immune response are present. Male Lewis rats were randomized into groups: CO - control, AIA - untreated adjuvant-induced arthritis, AIA-BIL - adjuvant-induced arthritis administrated BIL (200 mg/kg b.w. daily i.p. during 14 days). Change of hind paw volume in the AIA-BIL group in comparison to the AIA group was significantly decreased after BIL administration. In CO and AIA groups we found almost untraceable levels of BIL. In the AIA-BIL group hyperbilirubinemia was observed. BIL administration significantly decreased plasma levels of C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin in the AIA-BIL group in comparison to the AIA group. The values of white and red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly decreased in AIA-BIL after BIL supplementation. Organs like spleen and thymus had a lower weight in AIA-BIL than in AIA. Histological findings showed decreased or even absent damage in hind paw joint of AIA-BIL animals. We observed an immunomodulatory effect of BIL on AIA development, which may also have a novel pharmacological impact.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. katarina.bauerova@savba.sk.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bauerova
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drafi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kuncirova
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ponist
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mihalova
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Babal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sykora
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001663:Bilirubin