Effects of Apis mellifera venom and methotrexate on plasma, synovial fluid and membrane and circulating leukocytes peptidases in rats with type II collagen- induced arthritis.

Author(s)

Simone Cristina Yamasaki

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2010-12-09

Examining board members

Paulo Flavio Silveira; Anita Mitico Tanaka Azevedo; Cristina Maria Fernandes

• Advisor: Paulo Flavio Silveira

Abstract

Peptidase activities have been related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The mechanisms of action of the usual treatment, methotrexate (MTX), and alternative therapies for RA, such as bee venom (BV) acupuncture, are not completely known. To contribute to the understanding of RA, this study evaluated parameters of RA and activities of basic (APB), neutral (APN) and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) aminopeptidases, and oligopeptidase prolyl endopeptidase (POP) in samples from rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and in control rats with or without systemic treatment with BV and /or MTX and in resistant animals, as well as the direct effects of BV or MTX on the aminopeptidase activities under study. In conclusion: aminopeptidase activities are involved in CIA and may be potentially useful in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of RA; treatment with BV and / or MTX are able to reduce or normalize these aminopeptidase alterations; BV has no analgesic effect, but it is able to decrease TNF-<font face=\"Symbol\">a; BV may contain some inhibitor of APN, while the MTX seems to act as a nonselective inhibitor of APB, APN and DPP4. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/06829-6 - Effects of Apis mellifera venom on anti-type II collagen antibody, interleukin 6 and peptidases of synovia, synovium and circulating leukocytes in rats with type-II collagen-induced arthritis
• Grantee: Simone Cristina Yamasaki
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master