Effect of thalidomide combined with methotrexate on the inflammation and cytokines of rats with collagen type II induced arthritis

AIM:To investigate the effect of thalidomide combined with methotrexate on the inflammation and cytokines of rats with collagen type II induced arthritis.METHODS:The model of rat was induced by injection of collagen type II combined with complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA).Next day after the injection,the therapeutic administration of thalidomide(150 mg·kg-1·d-1)combined with methotrexate(0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1)and methotrexate(0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1)were differently performed to the rats.The courses of the treatment were all six weeks.The mean arthritis index(AI)was scored every week.The relative concentrations of IL-1β,TNF-α in sera were evaluated by Western Blotting.RESULTS:The therapeutic administration of thalidomide combined with methotrexate and methotrexate could decrease the mean arthritis index on CIA rat,the effect of thalidomide combined with methotrexate was more obvious than that of methotrexate.The administration of thalidomide combined with methotrexate and methotrexate significantly decreased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α,the change of post-treatmentis was obviously in all groups(P0.05).CONCLUSION:Thalidomide combined with methotrexate have an inhibitory effect on the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in model rat,which is related to its anti-inflammation.There are coordinate effect in thalidomide and methotrexate.