The upregulated expression of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4R, P-selectin, MIP-1α (CCL3), MCP-1 (CCL2), NOS2 and NOS3 [6-8] demonstrated in the present study is in agreement with previous observations of the dependency of the rat SCW-induced arthritis model on these mediators. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and arthritic joint disease.