Intracerebroventricular administration of somatostatin prevents and attenuates adjuvant arthritis

The effects of somatostatin on the development of adjuvant arthritis induce d by Mycobacterium butyricum were studied. Somatostatin was injected into t he lateral cerebral ventricle every day for 14 days beginning on the first day of mycobacteria inoculation in the preventive group. In the treatment g roup, somatostatin was injected from day 17 until day 30 post-mycobacteria inoculation. Arthritis was evaluated by measuring ankle joint circumference and diameter as well as microscopic examination of ankle joint sections. S omatostatin profoundly inhibited the development of adjuvant arthritis and an anti-inflammatory action was observed in the treatment group. These resu lts suggest that somatostatin has a central action that can prevent or atte nuate symptoms associated with arthritis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.