PREVENTION OF SPLENIC GRANULOMA-FORMATION IN ADJUVANT ARTHRITIS BY 2-ACETYL-4-TETRAHYDROXYBUTYLIMIDAZOLE (THI)

Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in Lewis rats is a widely used model o f chronic inflammatory arthritis. Non-articular features such as weigh t loss and necrotizing granulomas of the spleen and lymph nodes also o ccur in this model. The compound 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI) marginally delayed the development of AA. However, this agent h ad no effect on the incidence or severity of disease. In contrast, THI totally prevented granuloma formation in the spleen and associated sp lenomegaly. We conclude that THI may be a useful adjunctive agent for some inflammatory diseases. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.