Fullerene (FС60) is a classical nanomaterial with the potential application in biomedicine.
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of FС60 on the processes of inflammation, immune and chodrogenesis in rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA).
Materials and methods. This study was carried out on male Wistar rats (250–280 g). Rats were divided into 5 subgroups: intact, control (PBS), rats with AA (complete adjuvant Freund), rats with AA treated with FС60 (50 ng, intraperiotoneal injection) or treated with metotrexat (0.6 mg/kg, intramuscular injection). Concentration of cialic acids, ceruloplasmin, levels of total collagenolitic activity in cartilage and bone tissues, free hydroxyproline and alkaline phasphatase, formation of circulating immune complexes were measured by colorimetric methods. Splenocyte proliferation was detected in the reaction of blast transformation. Knee bone and cartilage tissue were prepared for histologic analysis.
Results and discussion. In rats with AA, treatment with FС60 reduced the level of leukocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), sialic acids and ceruloplasmin levels, processes degeneration of cartilaginous tissues of the joint. It was displayed protective effect of FС60 during AA directed on the depression of destructive processes in connective tissue that was expressed through the reduction of the total collagenolitic activity level in cartilage and bone tissues, free hydroxyproline and alkaline phasphatase in the blood. The results indicate the inhibitory action of FС60 during AA on cellular — splenocyte proliferation, neutrophil phagocytic and oxygen-stimulatory activities in NBT-test, and humoral immune mechanisms — formation of circulating immune complexes.
Conclusion. The results indicate that FС60 is a potential therapeutic agent for the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and cartilage protection action during AA.