Figure 1.

Macroscopic and clinical evaluation. Macroscopic evaluation of the animals from the experimental groups (under non-treatment (C); intraarticular injection of saline (CI) or H₂S donor (SI)) was performed. Firstly, the weight (a) and articular diameter (b) were monitored. Evaluation of the pain levels (c) was performed with an arbitrary scale, as previously indicated. Finally, the angle of joint flexion (d) and extension (e) over the course of the model were assessed by a protractor. Values are mean ± SEM (n = 6 independent animals for each condition). * p ≤ 0.05 vs. day 0; ^$ p ≤ 0.05 vs. day 7; ^& p ≤ 0.05 vs. the respective day in the control group; ^# p ≤ 0.05 vs. the respective day in the CI group.