A SIMPLE INFLAMMATION MODEL THAT DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN THE ACTIONS OFANTIINFLAMMATORY AND ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS

Objective and Design: To determine the effects of anti-inflammatory an d anti-rheumatic drugs on paw swelling and changes in plasma levels of acute phase proteins (APPs) during acute inflammation in the rat. Mat erials and Methods: Inflammation was induced in rats by the injection of adjuvant and the animals were bled five days later and plasma level s of seromucoid, haptoglobin, caeruloplasmin and albumin were determin ed spectrophotometrically using a Cobas-bio centrifugal analyzer. The effects of daily administration of a variety of drugs used to treat ar thritis were determined on paw swelling and APP levels. Results: Injec tion of the adjuvant induced a pronounced change in APP levels which c orrelated with the increase in paw swelling. In general, the NSAIDs re sted significantly reduced paw swelling and significantly increased le vels of haptoglobin and caeruloplasmin in a dose-related manner, Two d ose-levels of steroids were administered, the higher dose reduced swel ling, and reduced levels of seromucoid, haptoglobin and caeruloplasmin , but raised albumin levels; the lower dose also reduced paw swelling, but the only change in APPs was increased albumin levels, Anti-rheuma tic drugs such as gold salts reduced levels of some APPs (seromucoid, haptoglobin and caeruloplasmin) without reducing paw swelling, Immunom odulators had a variety of effects on inflammation and APPs depending on mechanism of action. Conclusions: The different classes of anti-inf lammatory/anti-rheumatic drug tested show distinct profiles of activit y against APPs and paw swelling. These differential effects may result from modulation of cytokine activity.