Pycnogenol attenuates the inflammatory and nitrosative stress on joint inflammation induced by urate crystals

Yi Jen Peng, Chian Her Lee, Chih Chien Wang, Donald M. Salter, Herng Sheng Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Acute gouty arthritis results from monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition in joint tissues. Deposited MSU crystals induce an acute inflammatory response which leads to damage of joint tissue. Pycnogenol (PYC), an extract from the bark of Pinus maritime, has documented antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to investigate whether PYC had protective effects on MSU-induced inflammatory and nitrosative stress in joint tissues both in vitro and in vivo. MSU crystals upregulated cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in human articular chondrocytes, but only COX-2 and IL-8 in synovial fibroblasts. PYC inhibited the up-regulation of COX-2, and IL-8 in both articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. PYC attenuated MSU crystal induced iNOS gene expression and NO production in chondrocytes. Activation of NF-κB and SAPK/JNK, ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinases by MSU crystals in articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts in vitro was attenuated by treatment with PYC. The acute inflammatory cell infiltration and increased expression of COX-2 and iNOS in synovial tissue and articular cartilage following intra-articular injection of MSU crystals in a rat model was inhibited by coadministration of PYC. Collectively, this study demonstrates that PYC may be of value in treatment of MSU crystal-induced arthritis through its anti-inflammatory and anti-nitrosative activities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)765-774
Number of pages10
JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine
Volume52
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 15 2012

Keywords

  • Chondrocyte
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Nitric oxide
  • Pycnogenol
  • Synovium
  • Urate crystal
  • interleukin 8

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology (medical)

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