Enzyme and combination therapy with cyclosporin A in the rat developing adjuvant arthritis

Recent knowledge of the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and the mec hanism of drug effects have enabled the use of new drugs and drug combinati ons in rheumatoid arthritis therapy This study investigates the efficacy of both enzyme therapy and combined therapy with cyclosporin in rats with adj uvant arthritis. Rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis were administered eit her cyclosporin A (2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg/day per os), a mixture of enzymes (Phlo genzym(R) (PHL); 45 mg/kg twice daily intrarectally), or a combination of 2 .5 mg cyclosporin A and 90 mg PHL for a period of 40 days from the adjuvant application. Levels of serum albumin, changes in hind paw swelling and bon e erosions were measured in rats as variables of inflammation and arthritis -associated destructive changes. Treatment with 5 mg of cyclosporin A, as w ell as with the combination therapy with cyclosporin A plus PHL, significan tly inhibited both the inflammation and destructive arthritis-associated ch anges. However 2.5 mg of cyclosporin A and PHL alone inhibited these diseas e markers, although to a lesser extent and at a later stage of arthritis de velopment. The results show the inhibitory effect of enzyme therapy on rat adjuvant arthritis, as well as the efficacy of a low dose of cyclosporin A given in combination with enzyme therapy, which may be useful in the treatm ent of rheumatoid arthritis.