Orthogen (Germany)

Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) play an important role in degenerative musculo-skeletal diseases, including osteoarthritis, and a multitude of inflammatory disorders. Agents that inhibit the action of such cytokines have a high therapeutic potential in such diseases. Here we describe a new method for enhancing the production of the interleukin-l receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and other anti-inflammatory cytokines in whole blood. Human venous blood was incubated in the presence of CrSO(4)-treated glass beads. Serum was recovered and the concentrations of IL-1Ra and other relevant cytokines were measured by ELISA. The interaction of the glass bead surface with cells in whole blood increased production of IL-1Ra and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Removal of the beads and centrifugation generated a serum preparation enriched in anti-inflammatory cytokines. This preparation is of therapeutic value in treating various inflammatory and degenerative disorders. The increased de novo production of anti-inflammatory cytokines by a direct physico-chemical induction of whole blood in the Orthokin system is feasible and offers an alternative, novel approach to treating mild to moderate OA and other orthopaedic conditions such as degenerative spine diseases.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of cytokine inhibitors in experimental allergic radiculitis. Evaluation of the effect of cytokine inhibitors in experimental allergic radiculitis. A number of cytokines are known to be involved in hyperalgesia and may play a role in radiculitis. Corticosteroids and other cytokine inhibitors antagonize their effects. Experimental allergic radiculitis was induced in rats by injection of bovine myelin from the peripheral nervous system. The sham group subsequently received saline injections; the treatment groups received either prednisolone or interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Treatment effect was assessed on the basis of motor performance and neurophysiologic parameters. Treatment ameliorated the symptoms of experimental allergic radiculitis. Prednisolone appeared to be somewhat more effective than interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Because interleukin-1 receptor antagonist specifically blocks the effects of interleukin-1 at its receptors, the present results imply that interleukin-1 is a causal factor in the model of experimental radiculitis used. Its specificity and apparent lack of side effects make interleukin-1 receptor antagonist an attractive candidate treatment for the human disease.