Arthroplasty is an
orthopedic surgical procedure that replaces a dysfunctional joint by an orthopedic
prosthesis, thereby restoring joint function. Upon the use of the
joint prosthesis, a wearing process begins, which releases components such as
titanium dioxide (TiO2) that trigger an immune response in the periprosthetic tissue, leading to
arthritis,
arthroplasty failure, and the need for revision.
Flavonoids belong to a class of natural polyphenolic compounds that possess
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Hesperidin methyl
chalcone's (HMC)
analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and
antioxidant effects have been investigated in some models, but its activity against the
arthritis caused by
prosthesis-wearing molecules, such as TiO2, has not been investigated. Mice were treated with HMC (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) 24 h after
intra-articular injection of 3 mg/joint of TiO2, which was used to induce chronic
arthritis. HMC inhibited
mechanical hyperalgesia,
thermal hyperalgesia, joint
edema, leukocyte recruitment, and oxidative stress in the knee joint (alterations in gp91phox, GSH,
superoxide anion, and lipid peroxidation) and in recruited leukocytes (total
reactive oxygen species and GSH); reduced patellar
proteoglycan degradation; and decreased pro-inflammatory
cytokine production. HMC also reduced the activation of nociceptor-sensory TRPV1+ and TRPA1+ neurons. These effects occurred without renal, hepatic, or gastric damage. Thus, HMC reduces
arthritis triggered by TiO2, a component released upon wearing of
prosthesis.