Effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in experimental autoimmune arthritis

Introduction & Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease known as synovial inflammation and joint damage in several joints. Some anti-inflammatory effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) have been documented in previous studies. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in experimental autoimmune arthritis.Materials & Methods: The study groups consisted of 3 groups of 10 rats: Normal group, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group, and a RA group treated with CeO2-NPs (30 mg/kg; daily). Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by Freund's complete adjuvant injection (0.1 ml). Treatment was initiated when the rats showed symptoms of inflammation in the tarsus joint (day 8) and continued until day 28 when the rats were slaughtered. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1, IFN-γ, IL-17, TGF-β, and IL-10 cytokines were measured in the foot-pad of the animals by quantitative PCR.Results: Cerium oxide nanoparticles significantly reduced the severity of inflammation of the foot-pad and also improved weight gaining in affected rats. Gene expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1, IFN-γ, IL-17 were significantly decreased in the group received cerium oxide nanoparticles. The expression level of Il-10 was significantly increased in the group received cerium oxide nanoparticles. However, no significant change was observed in TGF-β cytokine levels.Conclusions: Cerium oxide nanoparticles may be used as a useful strategy to improve the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Rheumatoid arthritis ، Cerium nanoparticles ، Wistar rat