Inhibition of cartilage degradation and suppression of PGE₂ and MMPs expression by pomegranate fruit extract in a model of posttraumatic osteoarthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degradation in the affected joints. Pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) inhibits cartilage degradation in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine whether oral consumption of PFE inhibits disease progression in rabbits with surgically induced OA.

Methods

OA was surgically induced in the tibiofemoral joints of adult New Zealand White rabbits. In one group, animals were fed PFE in water for 8 wk postsurgery. In the second group, animals were fed PFE for 2 wk before surgery and for 8 wk postsurgery. Histologic assessment and scoring of the cartilage was per Osteoarthritis Research Society International guidelines. Gene expression and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) activity were determined using quantitative reverse t

SUBMITTER: Akhtar N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5137805 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature