Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a monokine that exerts multiple biological activity, including immunity and inflammation. Moreover, IL-1 is involved in Ca2+ release causing hypercalcemia and bone resorption. Recently, a 22 kDa natural inhibitor to IL-1 called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) has been described in human fluids, which specifically binds IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta receptors. In this study, we found that experimental granuloma induced by subcutaneous injections (0.2 ml) of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) 1:40 saturated crystal solution, after 7 days was strongly inhibited in size, weight and calcium content (measured as dry ash weight by incineration of granuloma tissue) compared with untreated controls, in mice treated intraperitoneally with IL-1ra (20 micrograms/bolus) given twice; the first at the same time of the induction of the granuloma and the second 24 hours later. In addition, leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 were also inhibited in fresh granuloma of mice treated with IL-1ra. Taken together, these findings conclude for the first time, that the accumulation of calcium in chronic inflammatory states is strongly inhibited by IL-1ra, which decreases tissue calcergy and can potentially be useful for the treatment of calcium-related inflammatory diseases and malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.

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