CARRAGEENAN EDEMA AND SPINAL FOS-LI NEURONS ARE REDUCED BY PIROXICAM IN THE RAT

INTRAPLANTAR carrageenan induced a peripheral oedema and c-Fos like im munoreactivity (Fos-LI) in L4-L5 segments in the dorsal horn (DH) of t he rat spinal cord. The total number of carrageenan evoked Fos-LI neur ones was 153+/-10 per section, with a predominant localization in the superficial and deep laminae of the DH (46+/-4% and 32+/-2%, respectiv ely). Pre-administered piroxicam (1, 2.5 and 5 mg kg(-1), p.o.) dose-d ependently reduced the number of Fos-LI neurones in both the superfici al and deep laminae of DH, with effects being significantly strongest on the deep laminae Fos-LI neurones. The effects of piroxicam on the n umber of spinal Fos-LI neurones and on ankle oedema were positively co rrelated.