Matrix metalloproteinase, vitamin A and methylprednisolone effects on experimentally induced amyloid arthropathy

We evaluated the role of some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in enhancing the effect of vitamin A and the inhibiting effect of methylprednisolone on amyloid arthropathy in brown layer chicks. We used 100 one-day-old Isa brown layer chicks. The chicks were allocated to one of four groups as follows: negative control group (I), vitamin A group (II), positive control group (III) and methylprednisolone group (IV). Amyloid arthropathy was induced by injections of complete Freund's adjuvant into the left intertarsal joints of the chicks. Serum vitamin A and tissue MMP (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9) levels were measured and differences among the groups were investigated. Serum vitamin A rates (mu g/dl) were: 63.57 +/- 4.10, 47.13 +/- 10.62, 53.26 +/- 10.79, 98.48 +/- 8.20 in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively (p < 0.001). MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were evaluated in tissues from the chickens with amyloid arthropathy. Methylprednisolone significantly suppressed the release of MMP-1 and MMP-2, and increased the release of MMP-9 in birds with amyloid arthropathy. In addition, vitamin A significantly increased the release of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9.