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Effects of Relaxin in a Model of Rat Adjuvant‐Induced Arthritis
Author(s) -
SANTORA KAREN,
RASA CORDELIA,
VISCO DENISE,
STEINETZ BERNARD,
BAGNELL CAROL
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1282.072
Subject(s) - relaxin , medicine , adjuvant , estradiol valerate , inflammation , rheumatoid arthritis , arthritis , hormone , endocrinology
A bstract : A reduction in the incidence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis is seen in pregnant women. Relaxin, a hormone of pregnancy, has been implicated in decreased immune responsiveness. Consequently, the effects of relaxin and estradiol valerate, alone or in combination, were assessed in the development of adjuvant‐induced arthritis in the rat. Combination hormone therapy reduced adjuvant‐induced paw inflammation. Radiographic analysis of the tarsal joints showed that estradiol valerate plus relaxin treatment minimized soft tissue damage and bone changes when compared to vehicle‐treated arthritic controls. These results indicate that relaxin may be a factor in reducing inflammation during pregnancy.