Effects of resveratrol in inflammatory arthritis

Inflammation. 2007 Apr;30(1-2):1-6. doi: 10.1007/s10753-006-9012-0.

Abstract

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), is a pivotal transcription factor involved in the activation of the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta genes. Activation of NF-kappaB in synovial cells is a feature seen in arthritis patients. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic, natural phytoalexin found with particularly high levels in grape skin and red wine is potent and specific inhibitor of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced NF-kappaB activation. We aimed to determine the in vivo effects of intra-articular injections of resveratrol on cartilage and synovium in an experimental rabbit inflammatory arthritis model.

Materials and methods: Arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of three times of 50 mug lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at day 0, 4 and 8 at 4-day intervals into the knee joints of rabbits. To the test group, 10 muMol/kg resveratrol in the DMSO was injected in the knees at day 0 and then it was continued once daily for 2 weeks. To the control group the same time and amount of DMSO was injected the knees of rabbits. All rabbits were killed 1 week after the last injection and cartilage tissue and synovium were evaluated with semiquantitative scoring histologically.

Results: According to control group in the resveratrol group, significantly decreased cartilage destruction was determined by H&E staining (p = 0.04). Loss of matrix proteoglycan content in the cartilage was much lower, as determined by safranin O staining (p = 0.03). We also observed marked synovial inflammation after intra-articular injection to control knees, but not in the resveratrol treated group knees (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: This study suggests that intra-articular injection of resveratrol may protect cartilage against the development of experimentally induced IA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Arthritis, Experimental / pathology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / chemically induced
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / pathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / prevention & control*
  • Cartilage / chemistry
  • Cartilage / drug effects*
  • Cartilage / pathology
  • Female
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Knee Joint / chemistry
  • Knee Joint / drug effects*
  • Knee Joint / pathology
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Proteoglycans / analysis
  • Rabbits
  • Resveratrol
  • Stilbenes / administration & dosage
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Stilbenes / therapeutic use
  • Synovial Membrane / drug effects*
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Proteoglycans
  • Stilbenes
  • Resveratrol