ANTIINFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF 22-OXA-1-ALPHA,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D-3 ON CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN RATS

The anti-inflammatory effect of 22-oxa-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 [22-oxa-1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3], an analogue of the active form of vita min D-3, was studied regarding carrageenin-induced inflammation in rat s. In the early phase of the inflammation, the formation of granulatio n tissue and the weight of exudate were significantly suppressed by bo th oral and local administrations of 22-oxa-1 alpha 25(OH)(2)D-3 daily for 4d (day 0-3) after carrageenin injection, though the local inject ion of 22-oxa-1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3 (7 and 10 mu g/kg) into the carrage enin-air-pouch was much more effective than the oral administration of the compound (20 mu g/kg). Similarly, oral and local administrations of 22-oxa-1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3 from day 4 to 7 significantly suppresse d the increase in exudate and the proliferation of granulation tissue in the late phase of carrageenin-induced inflammation in rats. The res ults suggest that 22-oxa-1 alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3 has an anti-inflammatory activity on both the acute and proliferative phases of inflammation i n rats.