CDP-Choline Effect on Arthritis Model in Rat

CDP-choline is a naturally occurring endogenous nucleotide, which after administration rapidly metabolizes to choline (which is a natural α7nAChR selective Agonist) and cytidine/uridine. In the body, Choline promotes several biological functions such as acting as a precursor of neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. As a result of choline availability, Ach synthesis will also increase. It is well known that nervous system under the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway concept has an important role in this inflammatory response mainly through α7 sub-unit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor which is expressed by different types of immune cells, including macrophages. This pathway conducts its role mainly through stimulation of vagus nerve results in the production of Ach which is an α7nAChR Agonist. Therefore, in the light of above studies we can hypothesize that exogenously administration of CDP-Choline results in enhancement of Choline and subsequently Ach level in plasma that could antagonize α7nAChR present on various immune cells, such as macrophages and FLS; which may exert analgesic effect via decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines production and decreasement of inflammation in arthritis pain model in rat