Establishment of Disease-syndrome Combination Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Spleen Deficiency

This study was aimed at establishing a disease-syndrome combination rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with spleen deficiency. A group of 60 six-week-old SpragueDawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group and reserpine (RSP) group. Spleen deficiency model rat groups were made by an intraperitoneal injection of RSP. After 14 days, rats of RSP groups were subcutaneously injected with collagen type II protein to induce arthritis. The incidence of the model was observed, and the mechanism was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that compared with the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) group, the degree of joint swelling and joint damage was significantly increased in the RSP CIA model. The RSP CIA model rats were observed as exhibiting spleen deficiency syndrome that was similar to clinical symptoms, such as appearing apathetic, squinting, a sparse dry dull coat, a bowed back, a swollen ankle, fatigue, lazy movement, getting together, eating less, weight loss, and loose stools. Compared with the CIA control rats, spleen deficiency impaired the function of intestinal mucosa by disordering the intestinal villi, covering a large amount of goblet cells in the epithelium, and inducing exfoliation, degeneration, and necrosis fluff pieces. The content of anti-type II collagen antibody, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ was increased. It was concluded that the rat model of rheumatoid arthritis with spleen deficiency syndrome by an intraperitoneal injection of reserpine has both obvious spleen deficiency syndrome and characteristics of RA. It can provide successful experiences for the rat model of rheumatoid arthritis with spleen deficiency syndrome. Spleen deficiency plays a vital role in RA.