Potential role of heme oxygenase-1 in the progression of rat adjuvant arthritis

Rat adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model widely used to evaluate etiopathogenetic mechanisms in chronic inflammation. We have examined the participation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in this experimental arthritis. In this study, an increased nitric oxide (NO) production in the paw preceded the upregulation of HO-1, whereas selective inhibition of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) after the onset of arthritis decreased HO-1 expression, suggesting that the induction of this enzyme may depend on NO produced by iNOS. Therapeutic administration of the HO-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX was able to control the symptoms of arthritis. This agent significantly decreased leukocyte infiltration, hyperplastic synovitis, erosion of articular cartilage and osteolysis, as well as the production of inflammatory mediators. In this experimental model, HO-1 can be involved in vascular endothelial growth factor production and angiogenesis. These results support a role for HO-1 in mediating the progression of the disease in this model of chronic arthritis.