Taxol (paclitaxel) involution of articular cartilage destruction in collagen induced arthritis: An ultrastructural demonstration of an increased superficial chondroprotective layer

Objective. To determine the ultrastructural changes of Taxol(R) (paclitaxel ) involution of articular cartilage destruction in collagen induced arthrit is (CIA) and to compare with articular cartilage from normal rats. Methods. Forty-five Louvain rats were randomized to one of 3 protocols for structural analysis: (1) control group, (2) CIA group. and (3) Taxol treate d CIA group. The latter group received 10 mg/kg body weight of Taxol at Day s 10, 12, and 14 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight of Taxol on Days 16, 18, and 20 postimmunization with collagen type II. Eight days later, each group was ex amined by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscop y. Results, In Taxol treated rats, the morphology of the: articular cartilage reverted to that observed in naive rats except for a striking increase in t he thickness of the superficial amorphous layer covering the articular surf ace. Conclusion, The involution of CIA by Taxol suggests that this agent may be useful in the clinical treatment of RA.