Abstract: Objective: Shark type II collagen (SCII) is extracted as a glycoprotein from thecartilage of blue shark (Prionace glauca). We aim to confirm the effects of oral tolerance ofSCII on inflammatory and immune responses to the ankle joint of rheumatoid-arthritis ratsinduced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Materials and Methods: The onset ofrheumatoid arthritis (RA) was observed 14 ± x days after injection of CFA. Rats in thecontrol group were treated with acetic acid by oral administration (0.05 mmol kg−1d−1,days 14–28), while rats in experimental groups were treated by oral administration with SCII(1 or 3 mg kg−1d−1, days 14–28), Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosidium (TWP)(10 mg kg−1d−1, days 14–28), and bovine type II collagen from US (US-CII) (1 mg kg−1d−1,days 1428),respectively.Theseverityofarthritiswasevaluated by the articular swelling.The immunological indexes observed included delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH)reaction, the level of interleukins 10 (IL-10) in rat blood serum and morphologicalcharacterization. Mixed lymphocyte cultur(MLCwasperformedtoinvestigatetherelationshipbetween T cell apoptosis and specific immune tolerance induced by SCII.Results: Treatment with SCII for 2 weeks significantly attenuated the acute inflammation.The rats orally administrated with SCII at the level of 3 mg kg−1d−1 (SCII 3) and US-CIIhad decreased DTH reaction compared with rats in control group. Rats treated with SCII 3had the highest level of IL-10 with 102 pg/mL. SCII with concentration of 10 μg/L couldhelp to significantly enhance level of Fas/Apo-1 in T cell in vitro. The result of histologicalstaining indicated that the recovery of the articular membranes ofanklejointinSCII3groupwasgreatlyenhanced.Conclusions:OurresultssuggestthatappropriatedoseofSCIIcannotonlyamelioratesymptomsbutalsomodifythediseaseprocessofComplete-Freunds-Adjuvant-induced arthritis. Oral administration of SCII might be apotential candidate as a novel drug for further investigation.
Keywords: shark type II collagen; rheumatoid arthritis; oral tolerance