| Abstract: | This study sought to evaluate the levels of mRNA expression and protein synthesis of MMP-13, cathepsin K, aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS-4),
aggrecanase-2 (ADAMTS-5) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in cartilage in the experimental anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) dog
model of osteoarthritis (OA), and to examine the effects of treatment with licofelone, a 5-lipoxygenase (LOX)/cyclooxygenase
(COX) inhibitor, on the levels of these catabolic factors. Sectioning of the ACL of the right knee was performed in three
experimental groups: group 1 received no active treatment (placebo group); and groups 2 and 3 received therapeutic concentrations
of licofelone (2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg/day orally, respectively) for 8 weeks, beginning the day following surgery. A fourth group
consisted of untreated dogs that were used as normal controls. Specimens of cartilage were selected from lesional areas of
OA femoral condyles and tibial plateaus, and were processed for real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical analyses.
The levels of MMP-13, cathepsin K, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5 and 5-LOX were found to be significantly increased in OA cartilage.
Licofelone treatment decreased the levels of both mRNA expression and protein synthesis of the factors studied. Of note was
the marked reduction in the level of 5-LOX gene expression. The effects of the drug were about the same at both tested dosages.
In vivo treatment with therapeutic dosages of licofelone has been found to reduce the degradation of OA cartilage in experimental
OA. This, coupled with the results of the present study, indicates that the effects of licofelone are mediated by the inhibition
of the major cartilage catabolic pathways involved in the destruction of cartilage matrix macromolecules. Moreover, our findings
also indicate the possible auto-regulation of 5-LOX gene expression by licofelone in OA cartilage. |
