Skin Reactions of Rats to Levamisole and <i>D</i>-Penicillamine

Abstract

Levamisole and D-penicillamine are not skin sensitizers in rats. Furthermore, they do not stimulate T-lymphocyte proliferation in the draining lymph node when injected in oil into the hindpaw or base of the tail. Their copper coordination compounds also do not sensitize rats though they are irritant when injected locally.

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

“…D-Penicillamine was included in the study as it, like levamisole, is an effective anti-rheumatic drug, with a late onset of action. Both compounds are not skin sensitisers in rats [7], Two types of Wistar rat were used -one which re sponds to the first injection of clinical dextran with an anaphylactoid reaction (termed R rats) and one which does not (termed NR rats). NR rats do not exhibit the symptoms of arthritis when adjuvant is injected [4] and hence are useful to study possible connections be tween sensitivity to adjuvant-induced arthritis, oxazo lone contact dermatitis and the dextran anaphylac toid reaction.…”