Amelioration by the natural polyamine spermine of cartilage and bone destruction in rats with collagen-induced arthritis.

We investigated pharmacological properties of naturally occurring polyamines on cartilage and bone destruction seen in joints of rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Daily supplementation of spermine (SPM), but not spermidine, significantly inhibited increases in the hind paw volume and arthritis score in CIA rats, in addition to the increased mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in both cartilage and synovial tissues. Histological analysis clearly revealed a drastic prevention by SPM of the cartilage and bone destruction in synovial joints of CIA rats. Particular natural polyamines would be beneficial for the prophylaxis of synovial joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.