Omega 3-fatty acids, atorvastatin as modulators for inflammatory pattern versus diclofenac in osteoarthritis induced in experimental rats

Antiinflammatory properties of statins and omega-3 fatty acids are well known and documented before. Present work aimed mainly to demonstrate their effects on inflammatory pattern of osteoarthritis (OA) induced in rats. Osteoarthritis was induced by single intraarticular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the right knee joints in a dose level of 24.6 mg/kg body weight. Omega 3 fatty acids and atorvastatin were applied topically(cream form) in a dose levels 1 g/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight respectively either individually or in combination  versus diclofenac sodium  in a dose level 5 mg/kg body weight for comparison. The treatment started after 24 h of OA induction, daily for 3 weeks. Collective results indicated that the drugs under study significantly decreased serum interleukine-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and total cholesterol (TC). Joint tissue contents showed significant decrease in myeloperoxidase (MPO), matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP2) along with an increase in tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase2 (TIMP2). Combined form of atorvastatin and omega 3 fatty acids demonstrated marked effects than their individual use as compared to Diclofenac. Key words: Osteoarthritis, monosodium iodoacetate, atorvastatin, omega-3 fatty acids, diclofenac.