en Physiology Physiology Original Research Original Research <strong>Abstract</strong><br> <strong>Background and objectives:</strong> Apoptosis disruptions play substantial roles in pathogenesis of arthritis and its symptoms. Cytokines and their intra-cellular signaling have pivotal roles in arthritis pathophysiology. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between synovial Interleukin- 6 (IL-6), Nuclear Factor Kappa- B (NF-ĸB) and Fractalkine (Fkn) in the changes of edema and apoptosis during Adjuvant-induced knee arthritis.<br> <strong>Methods:</strong> 240 male Wistar rats were divided into different groups. Arthritis was evoked and the knee edema changes were evaluated by Vernier caliper. Synovial IL-6 was assayed by rat standard ELISA kit. Synovial NF-ĸB, Fkn, and markers of apoptosis were measured by western blot experiment.<br> <strong>Results:</strong> The injection of Complete Freund&#39;s Adjuvant (CFA) caused intense knee edema reduced by implementing Anti-IL-6, Anti-Fkn and Inh-NF-ĸB. The results indicated elevated levels of apoptotic markers during the acute phase, along with an increase in IL-6, NF-ĸB and Fkn. Although IL-6, NF-ĸB and Fkn levels elevation continued during chronic phase, the apoptosis markers decreased in this phase. The findings revealed that Anti-IL-6 treatment during different phases of study can change the synovial NF-ĸB and Fkn.<br> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> It seems that time-dependent variations in apoptotic markers level may be involved in pathogenesis of Adjuvant-induced knee arthritis. In conclusion, synovial IL-6 through NF-ĸB- Fkn pathway can play an important role in this process.<br> <strong>Keywords:</strong> Apoptosis, Adjuvant, Fractalkine, IL-6, Inflammation, NF-ĸB<br> &nbsp; Apoptosis, Adjuvant, Fractalkine, IL-6, Inflammation, NF-ĸB 168 177 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-4636-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Sahar Golabi sgolabister@gmail.com 200319475328460063834 200319475328460063834 No Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, & Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Jalal Zaringhalam jzaringhalam@sbmu.ac.ir 200319475328460063835 200319475328460063835 Yes Physiology Department, School of Medicine, & Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Homa Manaheji hshardimanaheji@yahoo.com 200319475328460063836 200319475328460063836 No Physiology Department, School of Medicine, & Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran