Macromolecular Prodrug of Dexamethasone Preserves Bone in Inflammatory Arthritis: A Micro- CT Study

Aims Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a chronic inflammation of synovium, leading to joint destruction. Local and systemic inflammation favors periarticular and generalized osteopenia/osteoporosis, producing deformity, laxity, functional disability and increased risk for fractures, which is a hallmark of RA. It is well acknowledged that bone loss is a major and, as yet, unsolved problem in RA. Recently, a water soluble, arthrotropic macromolecular prodrug of dexamethasone (Dex) based on N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer conjugate (P-Dex) showed evidence of superior anti-inflammatory properties and sustained amelioration of inflammatory arthritis. We specifically aimed to look into the efficacy of P-Dex in ameliorating periarticular bone damage using micro-CT.