Experimental osteoarthritis and its course when treated with S-adenosyl-L-methionine
Barceló, H.A.; Wiemeyer, J.C.; Sagasta, C.L.; Macías, M.; Barreira, J.C.
Revista Clinica Espanola 187(2): 74-78
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-2565 PMID: 2244062 Document Number: 349369
Degenerative arthropathy was experimentally induced in the right knee of 24 rabbits. The animals were randomly divided in 3 groups of 8 rabbits each. S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine (SAMe) was administered intramuscularly to 2 groups. One group received 30 and 60 mg/kg/day i.m. The remaining group was a control and received only a diluyent. After 12 weeks of therapy rabbits were sacrificed and tibial and femoral cartillage specimens of both knees were taken. The latter was stained with hematoxiline-eosine, Masson's trichromic and Safranine 0 stains and was microscopically studied. The thickness and cell density of the lesioned cartillages were significantly greater in both groups treated with SAMe than the group control (p < 0,001). Statistical differences (p < 0,05) were found within 60 and 30 mg/kg/day of SAMe. A greater concentration of proteoglycans in the cartillage matrix was found in animals treated were as, a severe reduction was found in controls. The severity of the lesions, based on the histologic-histochemical analysis, was significantly lower in rabbits receiving SAMe (p < 0,0005). These differences were correlated with the administration of SAMe and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed.