Arava Treatment, between Beneficial Action on Joint Inflammation and Side Effects on Liver, Myocardium and Kidney in Experimental Murine Arthritis

Mihaela Manole, Codruta Badescu, Manuela Ciocoiu, Magda Badescu, Mihaiela Chicu

Internal Medicine Clinic, St. Spiridon Hospital, Iasi, Romania.
Pathophysiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iasi, Romania.

DOI: 10.4236/jbise.2014.79070                

Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was the follow-up in time of the course of joint inflammation phenomena in laboratory animals (white female adult Wistar rats) by determining particular biological, hematological, radiological, osteodensitometric, immunological and anatomic-pathological parameters and by assessing the effects of Leflunomide (Arava) on the course of the disease. ARAVA^® (Leflunomide) is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor. The experimental study was conducted for 8 weeks. We have also assessed the side effects of the therapy on their liver, myocardium and kidney. Leflunomide therapy improved the course of the clinical and paraclinical parameters, but it did not cure the condition. The positive results in the joints were accompanied by many histological alterations. The experiment revealed the toxic visceral effects of Leflunomide on the liver, heart and kidney.

Keywords

ARAVA® (Leflunomide), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Side Effects

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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