Effects of chondroitin sulfate-C on articular cartilage destruction in murine collagen-induced arthritis

The effects of chondroitin sulfate-C (CAS 25322-46-7, Chondroitin ZS Tab) o n type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice were evaluated. DB A/1J mice were immunized with bovine CII emulsified in Freund's complete ad juvant, followed by a booster injection 21 days later. Chondroitin sulfate- C at doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg was administered orally once daily be ginning 14 days before initial immunization. An arthritis index and hind pa w edema were examined from day 0 to day 49, when the mice were killed by et her anesthesia for histopathological examination. The delayed-type hypersen sitivity (DTH) reaction, serum anti-CII antibody titer, and histopathologic characteristics of both synovitis and destruction of articular cartilage w ere analyzed. Both the arthritis index and the serum anti-CII antibody tite r were reduced by treatment with chondroitin sulfate-C ina dose-dependent m anner. Chondroitin sulfate-C (1000 mg/kg) significantly inhibited hind paw edema, synovitis and destruction of the articular cartilage, burnet DTH rea ction.