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Gender differences and protective effects of testosterone in collagen induced arthritis in rats

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Abstract

To understand the gender differences noticed in autoimmune disorders, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, we used a rat model of collagen induced arthritis (CIA). This study was carried out in two parts. In the first study, severity of inflammation was compared between male and female rats with respect to radiology, histology, activities of lysosomal enzymes, lipid peroxidation, immune response to type II collagen and the level of prostaglandin, a major inflammatory mediator. Since female rats developed severe inflammation, this study was extended to confirm if testosterone at physiological concentration had protective effect against CIA. Hence, studies were carried out on the effect of testosterone application on castrated arthritic rats. Female arthritic rats were also treated with testosterone to find out the effectiveness of the androgen in the presence of female hormones. Results of this study conclusively showed that testosterone possessed significant anti-inflammatory effects at physiological concentration and exerted its action in a gender nonspecific manner.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. A.B. Mandal, Acting Director, CLRI, Chennai, India for his kind permission to publish this work. The award of CSIR fellowship to Kalaivani Ganesan is kindly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Kalaivani Ganesan, Radhakrishnan Abhirami & Rengarajulu Puvanakrishnan

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Madras Veterinary College, Vepery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ramasamy Selvam & K. V. S. Narayana Raju

  3. Department of Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Vepery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Bhakthavatchalam Murali Manohar

Authors
  1. Kalaivani Ganesan
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  2. Ramasamy Selvam
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  3. Radhakrishnan Abhirami
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  4. K. V. S. Narayana Raju
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  5. Bhakthavatchalam Murali Manohar
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  6. Rengarajulu Puvanakrishnan
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Correspondence to Rengarajulu Puvanakrishnan.

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Ganesan, K., Selvam, R., Abhirami, R. et al. Gender differences and protective effects of testosterone in collagen induced arthritis in rats. Rheumatol Int 28, 345–353 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0446-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0446-y

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