Efeitos do exercício resistido em meio aquático no tratamento de ratos Wistar com artrite reumatoide

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is characterized by progressive joint destruction due to an inflammatory degenerative condition. Physical exercise in water presents itself as a resource in the treatment of the clinical symptomatology of RA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether resisted aquatic jump exercise promotes functional and structural improvement of the knee joint and rectus femoris muscle of Wistar rats submitted to an experimental arthritis model. Methodology: Forty male rats divided into four groups were used: CON - Control; RA - Injury Group; EX - Exercise Group and EXAR - RA Injury Group treated with resistance exercise in aquatic environment. RA was induced by immunization at the base of the tail and intra-articular injection of CFA in the tibiofemoral joint of the right knee. Ten treatments were performed three times a week in a water tank, with an overload of 50% of the animal's weight. They were evaluated for nociception, edema, motor function, grip strength, and synovial infiltrate at seven time points. After euthanasia, the joints of both knees and the rectus femoris muscle were collected. SPSS 20.0 program with LSD post-test was used for statistical analysis, for the significance level of 5%. Results: The induction of joint arthritis promoted reduction of the means with statistical difference. The cartilage showed inflammation and destruction of the synovial membrane in the injured groups. The EXAR showed pain reduction, functional capacity improvement and good morphometric aspect of the rectus femoris and cartilage. Final considerations: Resistance exercise in aquatic environment promoted functional and tissue morphological improvement of the knee joint and rectus femoris muscle of Wistar rats with RA.