EFFECT OF ACETYLSALICYLIC-ACID AND DEXAMETHASONE ON ANTIBODY-PRODUCTION IN ADJUVANT ARTHRITIS

The production of antibodies to IgG and type II collagen occurs in a s imilar fashion in human rheumatoid arthritis and adjuvant arthritis. I n this study, the effect of dexamethasone (DXT) and acetylsalicylic ac id (ASA) on antibody synthesis was analysed. Daily treatment with DXT (0.3 mg/kg per day p.o.) or with ASA (200 mg/kg per day p.o.) from day 14 to day 56 after arthritis induction inhibited both the synthesis o f antibodies to IgG and type II collagen and also the humoral immune r esponse to the mycobacteria that induced the disease. The immunosuppre ssive response was similar for both drugs: DXT, which is known to supp ress the immune response, and ASA, a classical anti-inflammatory agent .