Loteprednol etabonate, a new soft steroid is effective in a rabbit acute experimental model for arthritis

Loteprednol etabonate, a new soft steroid designed for use as a local thera peutic, was compared to dexamethasone in rabbit experimental model for arth ritis. Methods: Joint inflammation was induced by local injection of antige n into the patellofemoral articulation in sensitized rabbits. Go-administra tion of either dexamethasone or loteprednol etabonate directly into the joi nt effectively blocked the inflammatory response. Both the synovial fluid c ellular content and synovium histology were examined. The steroid treatment s prevented the adverse inflammatory effects of antigen action. These resul ts, together with previous studies showing decreased systemic activity of t he soft steroid, indicate that the loteprednol etabonate could provide a th erapeutic advantage over currently used intra-articular steroids for allevi ating rheumatoid arthritis.