一种改良膝关节痛风性关节炎兔模型.

BACKGROUND: An ideal animal model is important for studying gouty arthritis. However, a lack of perfect animal model of gouty arthritis delays the progress in searching for a novel drug and treatment method. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the modified rabbit model of gouty knee arthritis. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups. Except blank control group received no intervention; the rabbit greater omentum was removed, which was wrapped with nothing (sham operation group), implanted with 0.1 g/L monosodium urate crystal suspension (conventional group), or 100 mg/kg monosodium urate crystal (modified group) into the suprapatellar cyst of the rabbit right knee. The swelling degree, motor function, and inflammatory response of the knee joint were observed at 1, 2 and 3 days, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after modeling to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the modified model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The movement function in the modified group was significantly decreased within < weeks after modeling (P < 0.05). The joint swelling index in the conventional and modified groups peaked on day 1 or 2, and then began to decrease. The descent velocity in the modified group was slower than that in the conventional group, and the swelling index showed significant difference between modified and blank control groups at 4 weeks after modeling (P < 0.05). The conventional and modified groups presented with overt inflammatory response, synovial hyperplasia, congestion and edema; abundant synovial fluid appeared in the articular cavity; periphery tissue became congestion and edema; the cartilage revealed no obvious damage. The levels of interleukin-6 and -1β in serum and synovial fluid in the conventional and modified groups peaked on days 1 and 2, followed by a decrease, but the modified group exhibited a slower descent velocity compared with the modified group. All above levels in the modified group were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the rabbit model of gouty knee arthritis is successful established by the intra-articular implantation with the autogenous greater omentum-wrapped monosodium urate crystal, which can last more than 4 weeks, longer than the conventional model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]