Evaluation of The Possible Effect of Trimetazidine, Empagliflozin in comparison with Methotrexate in a rat model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nabil Matta, Caterine; Nazmy Zaki Makar, Nasr; Elsayed Sherif, Mohie ELDin; Nasr Ibrahim, Amany; Attia Abd Elhameed, Abeer

doi:10.21608/bmfj.2025.335322.2250

Evaluation of The Possible Effect of Trimetazidine, Empagliflozin in comparison with Methotrexate in a rat model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Lecturer of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, kafr El-Sheikh University, Egypt

² Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt

³ Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt

10.21608/bmfj.2025.335322.2250

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory and autoimmune multisystem disease. The main cause of mortality in RA is cardiovascular catastrophes. Methotrexate is considered the most important Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug. Trimetazidine is a metabolic modulator‐antianginal agent with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. Empagliflozin is an antidiabetic agent that selectively inhibits sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 in proximal renal tubules with anti-inflammatory and cardio- renal protective properties. Aim of the study: The present study was designed to evaluate the possible effects of methotrexate, trimetazidine and empagliflozin in a rat model of RA. Materials and methods Rats were classified into: Group I: control normal group. Group II: was not treated (diseased group). Group III: was treated with methotrexate. Group IV: was treated with trimetazidine. Group V: was treated with empagliflozin. Group VI: was treated with combination of MTX with trimetazidine. Group VII: was treated with combination of MTX with empagliflozin. Treated groups received drugs for 4 weeks. Results: Treated groups showed significant improvement in (rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interlukien-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), reduced glutathione (GSH), cardiac Troponin-I (CTn-I), arthritis score) and improvement of the histopathology of the joint and myocardium. A significant reduction in the score was seen in the treated groups at the end of 3rd and 4th weeks, with best results in MTX+EMPA combination group. Conclusion: All tested drugs alone or in combination showed improvement of parameters of RA with cardioprotective properties.

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