Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Potential anti-inflammatory effect in a model of ovariectomy and temporomandibular joint arthritis induction in rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid-type omega 3 (ω3) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of ovariectomized rats (OVX) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DesignRheumatoid arthritis was induced using complete Freund's adjuvant and type II bovine collagen injected at the base of the tail. Twenty-four adult female rats were treated by gavage and divided into four groups: G1: Sham, treated with 0.9% NaCl; G2: OVX, treated with 0.9% NaCl; G3: OVX+RA treated with 0.9% NaCl; G4: OVX+RA+ω3 treated with omega 3 (300 mg/kg/day). The induction of rheumatoid arthritis in groups G3 and G4 was performed 21 days after OVX, treatments were started 15 days after the induction of rheumatoid arthritis, maintained for 7 days, and killed. Bilateral TMJs were removed and assigned to morphometric analysis by micro-computed tomography and immunoassay to assess levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. ResultsHigher levels of inflammatory cytokines were found in the G2 and G3 (P < 0.05) and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the G1 and G4. TMJ analysis by micro-computed tomography showed a higher percentage of bone volume (median - interquartile deviation) in G1 (96.2–1.1) than in the G2 (91.5–2.0, P = 0.0374) and G3 (85.1–5.2, P = 0.0001) but showed no statistically significant differences with the G4 (93.1–1.7, P = 0.79). ConclusionsOmega 3 successfully reduced TMJ damage in rats caused by ovariectomy and induced rheumatoid arthritis, and is a promising alternative for bone repair and attenuation of inflammatory processes.