Abstract
To assess the effects of clinical-like cryotherapy on inflammatory signs (in vivo neutrophil migration, cytokines, and joint inflammation), pain, joint swelling, balance, and motor coordination in mice with knee arthritis. Young C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (8 to 10 mice per group): Control group: mice with no intervention; antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) group: mice sensitized and immunized with intra-articular (i.a.) injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA); and AIA + cryotherapy group: mice sensitized, immunized with i.a. injection of mBSA, and submitted to a clinical-like cryotherapy protocol. After 21 days of sensitization, AIA and AIA + cryotherapy groups received i.a. injection of mBSA (100 μg/joint) to induce joint inflammation, and a clinical-like cryotherapy protocol was applied to AIA + cryotherapy group (crushed ice bag, two cryotherapy sessions of 20 min every two hours). Experimental analysis was conducted in the initial (immediately after i.a. injection of mBSA) and final periods (two hours after the second cryotherapy session). The number of synovial fluid neutrophils, cytokine levels, joint histology, pain, joint swelling, and motor performance were also analyzed. Our results showed that clinical-like cryotherapy in mice with acute knee arthritis reduced inflammatory signs, pain, and joint swelling, and improved balance and motor coordination.
Highlights
Arthritis is characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage and destruction of bone, clinically manifested as pain, swelling, and stiffness in affected joints [1]
Acute phase of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) groups exhibited increased neutrophil recruitment into knee joint in the final period of experimental analysis compared with control group
AIA + Cryotherapy presented increased neutrophil recruitment into knee joint compared with control group and decreased compared with AIA group
Summary
Arthritis is characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage and destruction of bone, clinically manifested as pain, swelling, and stiffness in affected joints [1]. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines play a pivotal role in local and systemic inflammation in patients with arthritis, contributing to development and progression of the disease [2]. Clinical-like cryotherapy in acute arthritis of the knee
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