Abstract
Abstract Aims This study investigated the effects of buprenorphine treatment on pain and welfare parameters and model specific parameters in a rat model of monoarthritis to eliminate unnecessary pain from this model. Methods 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) A negative control without arthritis receiving no analgesia. (2) A positive monoarthritic control group receiving no analgesia, but subcutaneous saline injections twice a day. (3) A positive control with monoarthritis receiving subcutaneous carprofen once a day and saline once a day. (4) A group with monoarthritis receiving subcutaneous buprenorphine twice a day. Monoarthritis was induced with an injection of 0.02 ml Complete Freund’s Adjuvant intra-articularly in the left tibiotarsal joint. Treatment with analgesia was initiated at day 15 and the rats were euthanized at day 23. Results The induced monoarthritis elicited a pronounced acute inflammation. Several parameters such as bodyweight, mobility, stance, joint-stiffness and lameness scores were affected. A marked mechanical hyperalgesia in the tarsal area was observed by Electronic Von Frey testing, but no severe compromise of the animal welfare was seen at any time. Signs of chronic development began to appear from day 10 after the monoarthritic induction. No significant change in serum cytokines and faecal corticosterone measurements was found after administration of buprenorphine. A minor decrease in body weight was seen, and a higher pain tolerance to mechanical stimuli was observed, indicating pain alleviation. The histological examination confirmed monoarthritic development in all monoarthritic rats and revealed periarticular lesions suggesting diffusion of adjuvant from intra-articular injection site to the periphery. Conclusions The study demonstrated that buprenorphine has an analgesic effect in the adjuvant induced monoarthritic rat model, without obvious interference with the development of arthritis.
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