Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by persistent synovitis and progressive joint destruction. The gut–joint axis has gained increasing attention in RA pathogenesis, while probiotics and prebiotics may help modulate gut microbiota and immune responses. Bexarotene, a selective retinoid X receptor agonist, also possesses potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
Objective
To evaluate the effects of bexarotene, prebiotic, and probiotic treatments, alone or in combination, on complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats and compare their effects with methotrexate (MTX).
Methods
Seventy-two Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n=8/group): normal control, CFA, CFA + MTX, CFA + high-dose bexarotene, CFA + low-dose bexarotene, CFA + prebiotic, CFA + probiotic, CFA + bexarotene + probiotic, and CFA + bexarotene + prebiotic. Arthritis was induced by CFA, and treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Arthritis severity and paw volume were assessed, followed by joint X-ray and histopathological examination. Serum LPS, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA. Fecal microbiota were evaluated by quantitative PCR, while spleen expression of NF-κB p65, Bcl-2, and Bax was assessed by Western blot. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant.
| Has the manuscript been published | not published |
|---|---|
| Intend to be published in the IJPS ? | NO |
