Comparison of the anti-osteoartristic effect of UCMA with hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids on the experimental rat osteoartrit model

Background and aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the anti-osteoarthritic effect of UCMA with hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids in the experimental rat osteoarthritis model. Methods: Fourty adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 8 random groups. Groups; was determined as control, MIA, MIA + corticosteroid, MIA + Hyaluronic acid, MIA + UCMA. OA model was created by injecting intra-articular MIA to the right knees of the rats. Intra-articular injections were applied to the right knees 7 times in total, once every three days. At the end of the experiments, the rats were sacrificed and the right knee joint areas were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Histopathologically, Hematoxylin-Eosin Staining, Safranin O & Fast Green FCF staining, Toluidine Blue Staining were performed. BMP-2 and Nf-κB staining was performed immunohistochemically. Mankin Score Rating System was used to determine the degeneration level. Results: It was determined that the Mankin score increased statistically significantly in the MIA group compared to the control group (p< 0.05). Histopathologically, UCMA, HA and Betamethasone acetate + betamethasone disodium phosphate groups observed that degenerations were observed in the structure of the articular cartilage but were milder than the MIA group. In treatment groups treated with UCMA, HA and Betamethasone acetate + betamethasone disodium phosphate, the Mankin score was found to be significantly reduced compared to the MIA group (p<0.05). In groups treated with UCMA, HA and Betamethasone acetate + betamethasone disodium phosphate, BMP-2 and Nf-κB immunreactivity were significantly decreased compared to the MIA group (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, findings obtained at both macroscopic and microscopic levels show that UCMA can be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of OA. Compared with hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids, this therapeutic effect of UCMA has been observed to have a similar effect with HA and corticosteroids. However, further studies will make important contributions to a better understanding of this effect of UCMA. Keywords: UCMA, Osteoarthritis, Cartilage Degeneration, Experimental OA Model, MIA.