الفهرس 
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Abstract
Testosterone, the predominant androgenic hormone, has a wide range
of biological actions. It has been found to exert its androgenic and
anabolic effects on both reproductive and non-reproductive target tissues.
Since, it is now generally recognized that androgens can be involved
in several pathological disorders in particular inflammatory or auto-immune diseases, thus, the present study aimed to further explore the
possible potential role of testosterone in modulating the immune response
in rheumatoid arthritis induced in castrated rats.
This was achieved experimentally by inductionof collagen induced
arthritis (CIA). An intradermal injection of a single dose of collagen type
ІІemulsified in complete Freund׳s adjuvant was supplied at the base of
each rat’s tail. Study groups included: ١) Control group which represented
vehicle-treated normal rats, ٢) Sham operated group in which CIA was
induced, ٣) The main experimental group including castrated rats which,
were randomly subdivided into the following: a) Control group of normal
castrated rats, b) Castrated-untreated CIA rats, c)) Castrated-CIA rats
treated with testosterone, d) ) Castrated-CIA rats treated with testosterone
co-supplemented with a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor ”letrazole”. All
animals were left for a period of ٣٠days (which was the time needed for
the pathogenesis of the disease and drug treatment).
Results of the present study revealed that castration resulted in the
development of a pro-inflammatory state with a marked exacerbation in
the sequence of the disease as regards significant elevation of the serum
levels of the inflammatory biomarkers associated with deterioration of
the histopathological features upon applying castration prior to arthritic
induction.
Upon supplying the castrated-CIA rats all through the period of
arthritic induction with testosterone replacement therapy, a condition
which is less aggressive with significant decrease in the serum
inflammatory biomarkers levels has been observed.
Moreover, a marked significant improvement was observed upon
supplying the castrated-CIA rats with an aromatase inhibitor (letrazole)
combining testosterone replacement therapy.
Thus, we conclude that the present findings as regards the protective
role of testosterone and its effects in modulating immune response are
consistent with observations which were collected previously as regards
the potential benefits of testosterone replacement therapy