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Inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema as a model for assessing topical anti-inflammatory compounds

  • Immunosuppression and Inflammation
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Abstract

We have found that mouse ear oedema induced by the topical application of arachidonic acid is not a specific screen for compounds inhibiting the lipoxygenase or cyclo-oxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. Although such compounds are able to reduce the oedema substantially, pharmacological agents such as histamine antagonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, free radical scavengers, and also various compounds not normally considered to have anti-inflammatory properties, can equally effectively reduce the oedema. A mutual potentiation of the effects of prostaglandins, leukotrienes and mast cell-derived histamine would allow many, but not all, of the active agents to be rationalised. The ability of compounds not influencing these three types of inflammatory mediators to reduce the oedematous response means the model is of limited value for directed screening.

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Abbreviations

5-HETE:

5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

LTB4 :

leukotriene B4

NDGA:

norkihydroguaiaretic acid

NSAIDs:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

NBT:

nitroblue tetrazolium chloride

PG:

prostaglandin (E1, A2, etc.)

THF:

tetrahydrofuran

TxB2 :

thromboxane B2

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This report includes work done as part of a Sandwich Degree Course at Aston University.

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Crummey, A., Harper, G.P., Boyle, E.A. et al. Inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema as a model for assessing topical anti-inflammatory compounds. Agents and Actions 20, 69–76 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01965627

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