Figure 9.

Controlled release of etoricoxib delayed OA progression. Catabolic enzymes, such as MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 released by chondrocytes, degrade the cartilage matrix. The cartilage degradation products along with the pro-inflammatory cytokines, act on the synovium to induce joint inflammation, which further stimulates the release of catabolic enzymes by chondrocytes. In this study we showed that the controlled release of etoricoxib effectively inhibited the production of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5, therefore delaying the OA progression of ACLT rats.