Effects of resistance exercise on the inflammatory profile of the tibiofemoral joint in a rheumatoid arthritis model.

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease, mainly involving synovial tissue in multiple joints, causing pain and functional limitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance exercise on the inflammatory profile and morphology of the tibiofemoral joint and popliteal lymph node of Wistar rats with experimental RA.

METHODS

There were 32 males, separated into four groups of eight animals each: Control Group (CG), Rheumatoid Arthritis Group (RAG), Exercise Group (EXG), and Exercise and Rheumatoid Arthritis Group (RAEXG). Evaluations were carried out for edema, joint disability, strength and nociception. The treatment consisted of resistance stair-climbing exercise. After euthanasia, synovial fluid, popliteal lymph nodes and the right tibiofemoral joint were collected and processed for histomorphological analysis.

RESULTS

RAG and RAEXG showed greater sensitivity, edema and loss of strength. However, RAEXG had an improvement in edema and strength recovery, returning to initial levels. In the morphometric and morphological data of the lymph nodes, the CG had a smaller size and was less cellularized. As for the tibiofemoral joints, the synovial membranes of the RAG and RAEXG showed classic characteristics of synovitis, the cartilage was less thick in the EXG, the RAG showed morphological changes in the femur and tibia with more chondrocytes, and the RAEXG, with cartilage within regular standards.

CONCLUSION

Resistance exercise optimized the recovery process of the morphofunctional aspects of the tibiofemoral joint, modulating the immune response in the popliteal lymph nodes and improving motor, nociceptive and joint functionality.