The effects of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the established lesion of
type II collagen induced
arthritis in rats were evaluated by measuring the hind paw oedema and anti-
type II collagen antibody titre.
Dexamethasone, a steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug, reduced the anti-
type II collagen antibody titre and markedly suppressed the established lesion of
type II collagen induced
arthritis in rats. A rebound of the
arthritis, i.e., a rapid recovery of the hind paw swelling took place after withdrawal of the treatment with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including
dexamethasone,
prednisolone, and
hydrocortisone. On the other hand,
indomethacin,
benoxaprofen,
piroxicam, and
tiflamizole, which are
cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors in
prostaglandin synthesis, had no effect on anti-
type II collagen antibody titre, but suppressed the established lesion of the
arthritis without causing an apparent rebound of the
arthritis after withdrawal of the
drug treatment. These results suggest that the level of anti-
type II collagen antibodies has no relation to the intensity of hind paw swelling in the established lesion of the
arthritis, though the
antibodies contribute to the incidence of the
arthritis. It also indicates that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs having inhibitory action on
cyclo-oxygenase are useful antiarthritic drugs without causing the rebound phenomenon, an untoward side effect after withdrawal of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.