Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a systemic inflammatory disease that affects not only the joints but also other organs in the body causing many extra-articular complications. Low-dose radiation (LDR) modulates a variety of immune responses that have exhibited the properties of immune hormesis. LDR has been used clinically for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Several molecular mechanisms and cellular components contribute to the clinical efficacy of low dose radiotherapy (LD-RT). The present study aimed to evaluate the possible capability of low dose γ-irradiation to reduce some of these extra-articular complications in adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. Our results revealed a significant increase in liver parameters in serum including ALT, AST activities as well as creatinine level in adjuvant induced arthritic rats that indicate liver and kidney impairment respectively. Results also revealed sharp increase in total leukocytic count (TLC). All of these biochemical and hematological disturbances were found to be significantly improved after exposure to low dose γ-irradiation.
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, extra-articular complications, adjuvant induced arthritis, low dose γ-irradiation