The effects of the phospholipase a2 inhibitor, manoalide, on cartilage degradation, stromelysin expression, and synovial fluid cell count induced by intraarticular injection of human recombinant interleukin‐1α in the rabbit

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Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the effects of the phospho-lipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor manoalide on cartilage degradation, stromelysin expression, and inflammatory cell accumulation in rabbits treated intraarticularly with recombinant human interleukin-1α (rHuIL-1α). Methods. Rabbits were given an intraarticular injection of rHuIL-1α. At various time points over a 24-hour period, the rabbits were euthanized and the articular space was lavaged with sterile PBS. The proteoglycan content of the lavage fluid was measured using a dimethylmethylene blue assay. PLA2 activity and differential cell counts were also measured. The femur was removed and cartilage proteoglycan content determined. In some experiments, levels of synovial stromelysin messenger RNA (mRNA) were assessed. Manoalide or vehicle was administered 30 minutes before the rHuIL-1α injection. Results. The rHuIL-1α-induced arthritic response is characterized by significant accumulation of inflammatory cells, loss of proteoglycan from the condylar cartilage, and induction of mRNA for stromelysin. PLA2 activity was also elevated in synovial fluids from rHuIL-1α-injected joints. Pretreatment with manoalide (0.3 mg/joint) significantly inhibited PLA2 activity in the synovial fluid, prevented the loss of proteoglycan from the condylar cartilage, and reduced proteoglycan levels in lavage fluids. However, manoalide either had no effect on, or stimulated, cell accumulation. To assess the relationship between the induction of PLA2 and stromelysin, levels of stromelysin mRNA were measured in synovial tissue from manoalide- and vehicle-treated joints. Stromelysin message levels were significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion. These studies demonstrate that manoalide is a potent inhibitor of inflammation and cartilage catabolism, and suggest that PLA2 is involved in the pathophysiology of rHuIL-1α-induced arthritis in rabbits.