Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor influences prostaglandin and interleukin-1 production in experimental arthritic joints

Objective: To assess involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the increase in eicosanoid and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels in the synovial fluid during antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) in rabbits treated with a competitive inhibitor of NO synthesis. Subjects: Thirteen New Zealand White rabbits were sensitized with 5 mg of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA). Arthritis was induced in the knee joint by injecting 0.5 ml of a sterile solution of mBSA (2 mg/ml) into the intra-articular cavity. Treatment: Prior to the induction of arthritis, the animals received N-Omega-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (LNAME) or N-Omega-Nitro-D-Arginine Methyl Ester (DNAME) for 2 weeks, both at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day mixed with drinking water. Methods: Leukocyte efflux (total and differential white cell count), vascular permeability (Evans's blue method), synovial PMN cell infiltrate, and total nitrite (NO2.)/nitrate (NO3.) (HPLC), PGE(2), TxB(2), LTB(4) (radioimmunoassay), and IL-1 beta (ELISA) levels were quantified in the synovial fluid. Results: LNAME but not DNAME significantly suppressed leukocyte efflux and protein leakage into the articular cavity as well as synovial PMN cell infiltrate. Total NO2./NO3., PGE(2) and IL-1 beta levels were significantly reduced in the synovial fluid of LNAME treated animals. TxB(2) and LTB(4) were not affected by LNAME treatment. Conclusion: These data clearly show NO involvement in the IL-1-induced PGE(2) production in the synovial fluid of antigen-induced arthritis in rabbits.462727

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS - THE VALUE OF ANTICARDIOLIPIN, ANTIGANGLIOSIDES AND ANTIGALACTOCEREBROSIDES ANTIBODIES

In an attempt to find a serological marker for neuropsychiatric manifestations (NPM) of SLE, sera from 66 patients (classified in three groups, according to their NPM - defined, probable and without NPM) were analysed by ELISA for IgG and IgM anticardiolipin, antigangliosides and antigalactocerebrosides antibodies. A strong correlation was found between IgM antigangliosides and antigalactocerebrosides antibodies and NPM, but not with IgG class. IgM and IgG antibodies anticardiolipin were not correlated with NPM in this study. Both IgM antigangliosides and antigalactocerebrosides antibodies disappeared in seven patients with definite but clinically inactive NPM. The analysis of these autoantibodies showed an important role predictive for NPM in SLE; the negative test decreases the chance of the NPM.9448949

Neuropsychiatric Manifestations Of Systemic Lupus Erthematosus: The Value Of Anticardiolipin, Antigangliosides And Antigalactocerebrosides Antibodies

[No abstract available]9448949