Colchicine, like methylprednisolone, decreases the perilesional fibrosis secondary to a chronic brain granuloma in cats

Exp Mol Pathol. 1998;65(1):9-14. doi: 10.1006/exmp.1998.2220.

Abstract

We studied the effects of long-term administration of colchicine on the fibrosis surrounding a granulomatous lesion previously induced by stereotactic injection of aluminum silicate into the brain parenchyma of cats. Every week the animals received a single i.m. injection of colchicine (0.25 mg), or methylprednisolone (4 mg), or saline solution (controls) for 6 months. The mean area of fibrosis in animals treated with colchicine or with methylprednisolone was smaller than that of control animals (P < 0.05). In controls, a dense capsule of procollagen and collagen fibers was found around the granuloma, and myelinated neurites were scarce, whereas in animals treated with colchicine or with methylprednisolone the capsule and fibers were thinner and more myelinated neurites remained. These changes were more evident in animals treated with colchicine. Our results suggest that chronic administration of colchicine or methylprednisolone limit the fibrosis and histological damage around a granulomatous lesion of the brain.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Silicates / administration & dosage
  • Aluminum Silicates / toxicity
  • Animals
  • Brain Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Brain Diseases / pathology*
  • Cats
  • Chronic Disease
  • Colchicine / administration & dosage
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use*
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fibrosis
  • Granuloma / drug therapy*
  • Granuloma / etiology
  • Granuloma / pathology*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Myelin Sheath / drug effects
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Collagen
  • Colchicine
  • Methylprednisolone