Enzyme
and combination therapy with cyclosporin A in the rat developing
adjuvant arthritis
Rovenská E., Švík K.,
Stanèíková M., Rovenský J. Enzyme and combination therapy with
cyclosporin A in the rat developing adjuvant arthritis. Int. J.
Tissue React. 1999, Vol.
XXI, No. 4, pp. 105-111 - ISSN 0250-0868. 626 KA (3-11-2)
Research Institute for Rheumatic Diseases, Piešany, Slovak Republic
Presented at Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, 21 – 24 June,
2000, Nice, France 526 KA
Recent knowledge of the pathophysiology of
rheumatoid arthritis and the mechanism of drug effects have enabled
the use of new drugs and drug combinations in rheumatoid arthritis
therapy. This study investigates the efficacy of both enzyme therapy
and combined therapy with cyclosporin in rats with adjuvant
arthritis. Rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis were administered
either cyclosporin A (2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg/day per os), a mixture of
enzymes (Phlogenzym® (PHL); 45 mg/kg twice daily
intrarectally), or a combination of 2.5 mg cyclosporin A and 90 mg
PHL for a period of 40 days from the adjuvant application. Levels of
serum albumin, changes in hind paw swelling and bone erosions were
measured in rats as variables of inflammation and
arthritis-associated destructive changes.
Treatment with 5 mg of cyclosporin A, as well as with the
combination therapy with cyclosporin A plus Phlogenzym,
significantly inhibited both the inflammation and destructive
arthritis-associated changes. However, 2.5 mg of cyclosporin A and
PHL alone inhibited these disease markers, although to a lesser
extent and at a later stage of arthritis development.
The results show the inhibitory effect of enzyme therapy on rat
adjuvant arthritis, as well as the efficacy of a low dose of
cyclosporin A given in combination with enzyme therapy, which may be
useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.