Influence of vitamin E on rat adjuvant arthritis

Abstract

Adjuvant arthritis was induced in rats fed on a diet deficient in or supplemented with vitamin E. The severity of arthritis was scored according to the macroscopic findings of the rat's legs, tail and ears. In the vitamin E deficient diet group, the score was higher than that of the rats supplemented with vitamin E. Wheres the A/G ratio remained depression in vitamin E deficient rats, it showed a fast recovery in the rats supplemented with vitamin E. The levels of serum β-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase activity of rats were elevated after the injection of adjuvant. Though, the increase of these lysosomal enzymes was remarkable in the rats fed on a diet deficient in vitamin E, the elevation was inhibited in the group supplemented with vitamin E. The levels of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactants in the synovia was elevated at 2 weeks after the exposure to adjuvant, and decreased thereafter. In contrast, the increase of TBA reactants in the synovia was inhibited in the rats supplemented with vitamin E.These observations suggest not only that peroxidation be positively associated with the aggravation of adjuvant arthritis but also that antioxidants, such as vitamin E, are beneficial for arthritis.