P91 AUROTHIOMALATE INHIBITS COX-2 AND mPGES-1 EXPRESSION IN ACTIVATED CHONDROCYTES AND IN HUMAN CARTILAGE

Abstract

week 16 post the first Lupron treatment in the older monkeys but no increase was observed in the younger monkeys. No differences in serum CTxII due to OVX were noted in either group. However in the younger monkeys, Lupron treatment resulted in increases in COMP and CPII. COMP was significantly increased compared to pre Lupron treatment two weeks after the first Lupron injection and remained significantly elevated through week 12. CPII in the younger monkeys did not increase until 12 weeks after the first Lupron injection. In the older monkeys, no differences in COMP and CPII due to OVX were noted. Conclusions: In summary, this data demonstrated that animal age affects cartilage biomarker levels. Secondly, medical ovariectomy was able to cause increases in cartilage turnover and the response varied depending upon the age of the animal. These data suggest some of these biomarkers could be useful in monkeys to monitor the response to experimental OA drugs.