Effects of Levamisole and <i>D</i>-Penicillamine in Rat Paw Oedema Induced by Carrageenan and by Kaolin

Abstract

Levamisole potentiated paw oedema induced by carrageenan in the rat whereas penicillamine was without effect. On the other hand, levamisole inhibited paw oedema induced by kaolin, penicillamine again having no effect. The copper complex of penicillamine was inhibitory in the carrageenan test but failed to show inhibition in the kaolin model of inflammation. These results show that levamisole and penicillamine are capable of exerting anti-inflammatory activity in the rat but only under certain conditions.

Levamisole and Leucocyte Migration into Sponge Exudates

“…However, of great er importance is the finding that the de pressed migration of leucocytes during es tablished arthritis was completely reversed by the local levamisole. Increased poly morph migration accounted for most of the levamisole effects, both at 4 h and at 48 h. Systemic levamisole also potentiated the carrageenan-induced paw oedema of R rats but not that of N R rats [8]. The copper complex of levamisole [8] has already been shown to be 10 times as active as levamisole in reducing kaolin-induced paw oedema in both R and N R rats and it will be interest ing to determine whether it follows the pat tern of levamisole in restoring and enhanc ing leucocyte migration into implanted sponges in arthritic R rats.…”

“…Increased poly morph migration accounted for most of the levamisole effects, both at 4 h and at 48 h. Systemic levamisole also potentiated the carrageenan-induced paw oedema of R rats but not that of N R rats [8]. The copper complex of levamisole [8] has already been shown to be 10 times as active as levamisole in reducing kaolin-induced paw oedema in both R and N R rats and it will be interest ing to determine whether it follows the pat tern of levamisole in restoring and enhanc ing leucocyte migration into implanted sponges in arthritic R rats. Recently [9], the intradermal injection of levamisole was shown to induce T lymphocyte proliferation in the draining lymph node of the ear of gui nea-pigs as early as 4 days after the injec tion, showing that levamisole is a potent skin sensitizer in this species and itself pro duces an immune response.…”

“…Its anti-inflammatory action has been reported in only a few convention al animal models [8]. In the rat, it enhances the secondary lesions of adjuvant-induced arthritis though this is often difficult to eval uate [1, 8J.…”

Effects of Levamisole and <i>D</i>-Penicillamine on Contact Sensitivity to Oxazolone in Rats

“…A single dose of levamisole did not inhibit the swelling. In other tests like the kao lin oedema reaction, levamisole has been reported [9] to reduce the paw oedema in R and NR rats, with D-penicillamine having no effect.…”

Effects of Levamisole and <i>D</i>-Penicillamine on Leucocyte Migration into Sponge Exudates in Rats

“…Its an ti-inflammatory activity has been reported in only a few conventional animal models [9], In man it stimu lates both humoral and cell-mediated immune re sponses [8] as well as several functions of monocytes, including chemotaxis [7], It also restores in vivo the reduced chemotactic responsiveness which occurs in certain diseases [11], It has recently been found that leucocyte migration into the exudates formed in untreated polyvinyl sponges implanted subdermally into rats was not al tered by injections of levamisole or D-penicillamine before or after implantation, yet the increased leuco cyte migration into sponges containing Bordetella pertussis vaccine and implanted into rats previously sensitized to B. pertussis was significantly enhanced [2], Similar results have been reported in a related ani mal model in which the leucocyte migration into the pleural space of rats had been stimulated by B. pertus sis vaccine [3], Levamisole and D-penicillamine may stimulate T lymphocytes to proliferate as they restore certain aspects of T lymphocyte function in patients with immunodeficiencies [10]. These studies involved several doses of drug administered orally either be fore or after implantation of the sponges.…”