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Evaluation of complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in a Wistar rat model

Comparison of thermography and histopathology

Beurteilung der durch Complete-Freund-Adjuvans induzierten Arthritis bei einem Wistar-Ratten-Modell

Vergleich von Thermographie und Histopathologie

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of arthritis in a complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced Wistar rat model and to monitor inflammatory arthritis activity using thermal imaging compared with histopathology.

Methodology

Fifteen adult male Wistar rats were studied in an adjuvant-induced arthritis model by the injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant in the right hind limb and right forelimb, respectively, with the left limbs used as controls. Thermal image analysis based on skin temperature measurement, radiographic analysis based on erosion, limb circumference measurement, and histopathological evaluation were performed.

Results

The average skin temperature difference on the arthritis-induced side and control for both the forelimb and hind limb were found to be 1.09 °C and 0.98 °C, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that skin surface temperature was positively correlated with the arthritis severity score (forelimb: r = 0.64, hind limb: r = 0.66, p < 0.05).A significant correlation also existed between thermal imaging temperature and visual scoring of X-ray (forelimb: r = 0.56, hind limb: r = 0.67, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Thermal imaging measurements correlated with arthritis severity score, radiological score, and ankle diameters. Hence, thermography could be used to diagnose and analyze inflammatory activity of arthritis at the preclinical stage.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Ziel der vorliegenen Studie war es, das Fortschreiten der durch Complete-Freund-Adjuvans (CFA) induzierten Arthritis bei einem Wistar-Ratten-Modell zu beurteilen und die Entzündungsaktivität der Arthritis anhand der Thermographie im Vergleich zur Histopathologie zu überwachen.

Methode

In einem adjuvansinduzierten Arthritismodell wurden 15 männliche Wistar-Ratten untersucht, dabei erfolgte die CFA-Injektion in das rechte Hinter- bzw. Vorderbein, und die linken Gliedmaßen wurden als Kontrollen verwendet. Ausgewertet wurden die Thermographie, die auf der Messung der Hauttemperatur basiert, Röntgenbilder in Bezug auf Erosionen, die Messung des Beinumfangs und die histopathologische Untersuchung.

Ergebnisse

Der durchschnittliche Temperaturunterschied auf der Arthritisseite und der Kontrollseite betrug für das Vorderbein 1,09°C und für das Hinterbein 0,98°C. Die Korrelationsanalyse nach Pearson zeigte, dass die Hautoberflächentemperatur positiv mit dem Score des Arthritisschweregrads korreliert war (Vorderbein: r=0,64; Hinterbein: r=0,66; p<0,05). Eine signifikante Korrelation bestand auch zwischen der Thermographietemperatur und der visuellen Beurteilung der Röntgenbilder (Vorderbein: r=0,56; Hinterbein: r=0,67; p<0,05).

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse der Thermographie korrelierten mit dem Score des Arthritisschweregrads, dem radiologischen Score und dem Sprunggelenkdurchmesser. Demnach könnte die Thermographie zur Diagnose und Auswertung der Entzündungsaktivität bei Arthritis im vorklinischen Stadium eingesetzt werden.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, SRM University, 603203, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India

    U. Snekhalatha & M. Anburajan

  2. Indra Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR), 603102, Kalpakkam, India

    B. Venkatraman & M. Menaka

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  1. U. Snekhalatha
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  2. M. Anburajan
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  3. B. Venkatraman
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  4. M. Menaka
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Correspondence to U. Snekhalatha.

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Snekhalatha, U., Anburajan, M., Venkatraman, B. et al. Evaluation of complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in a Wistar rat model . Z. Rheumatol. 72, 375–382 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-012-1083-8

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