Effect of Alginic Acid on Experimentally Induced Arthropathy in Rabbit Model

Bai, Young-Hoon; An, Tae-Hun; Lim, Sung-Chul; Pak, Sok-Cheon; Lee, Jae-Chang; Kang, Nam-Hyun; Bae, Chun-Sik

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2002;42(2):153-162.

Young-Hoon Bai¹, Tae-Hun An¹, Sung-Chul Lim¹, Sok-Cheon Pak², Jae-Chang Lee³, Nam-Hyun Kang⁴, Chun-Sik Bae⁵

¹Chosun University Medical School
²Hamilton College of Oriental Medicine
³Environmental Department, Naju College
⁴K-1 Biotech
⁵College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University

토끼의 관절병증에 미치는 알긴산올리고당의 치료효과

배영훈¹, 안태훈¹, 임성철¹, 박석천², 이재창³, 강남현⁴, 배춘식⁵

¹조선대학교 의과대학
²해밀튼 한의과대학
³나주대학 환경학과
⁴K-1 바이오텍
⁵전남대학교 수의과대학

Abstract

For the induction of arthropathy, 5% hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) was injected for 5 weeks into the intraarticular space of the New Zealand white rabbits to damage articular cartilage. Alginic acid of low molecular weight (2%) made from macromolecular alginate treated with enzyme was administered into articular space at the dose of 5 mg/kg twice a week for 3 and 6 weeks using 1 ml syringe and 26 G needle. Saline was injected for the control. Tissues surrounding the articulation were obtained for the measurements of superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity as a major antioxidant enzyme and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation level. Histopathologic examination on the surface of articular cartilage was carried out. Data showed that injection of hydrogen peroxide for 5 weeks had led to the induction of free radical damage and of articular cartilage change as confirmed by microscopic observation. The application of hydrogen peroxide caused a gradual increase in the SODs and MDA. These patterns were similar after 3 and 6 weeks of alginate treatment. Furthermore, microscopic examinations revealed that hydrogen peroxide caused flaking, fibrillation, fissuring, denudation, and hypocellularity in the articular surfaces. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation was demonstrated in the articular cartilage by the administration of hydrogen peroxide in the rabbit model. This lipid peroxidation could be caused by oxygen free radicals. The histologic and enzymatic correlations on lipid peroxidation in the articulation have provided a better understanding of arthropathy. It is possible to take advantage of these findings to evaluate effective alginate dosage more efficiently.

Key Words: Arthropathy, alginic acid, superoxide dismutase activity, lipid peroxidation