Stanozolol Inhibits Nitric Oxide Production by Horse Chondrocyte Cell Cultures

This preliminary study was designed to investigate the effects of stanozolol, a synthetic androgen which shows anti-dystrophic properties, on the nitric oxide production by horse chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads.Enzymatically isolated chondrocytes , obtained from healthy hock joint, were cultured in alginate beads in DMEM-F12 for 5 days; the cells were cultured in 24 well-plates (50.000 cells/ well). After 48 h cells were treated with stanozolol, dexamethasone or testosterone at 10-7 M. At the end of culture, media were collected and assayed for nitric oxide (NO) production (Griess Test). Each experiment was repeated at least 4 times with 8 replicates/treatment . Both stanozolol and dexamethasone significantly ( p < 0.05) inhibited NO secretion. Stanozolol seemed to be effective in reducing NO production, whereas testosterone induced a significant (p < 0.05) rise in NO. NO is an inflammatory mediator and in inflamed joints excessive accumulation of NO has been reported to promote condrocyte dysfunctions and alter cartilage homeostasis which leads to progressive joint destruction. These preliminary data clearly show the stanozolol involvement in suppression of NO. The important action of this synthetic androgen may reside in its chemical characteristics: a great affinity, at low doses, for the glucocorticoid receptors with exaltation of antidystrophic effects.