Abstract
The relative activity and duration of action of prednisolone and prednisolone acetate given orally or subcutaneously were studied. The models used were the granuloma pouch assay, the liver glycogen test and the paw oedema test in white rats using Aerosil® as irritant. In all three tests prednisolone acetate given subcutaneously was significantly superior to prednisolone with regard to intensity as well as to duration of effect. Liver glycogen assay and paw oedema test showed that the onset of effect is more rapid after prednisolone, though the free alcohol is less potent than the ester during the period of 6–24 hours after the injection. The depot effect of the acetate is maintained up to 3 days. The differences are less pronounced when the drugs are given by the oral route. A more rapid onset of the prednisolone effect can not be demonstrated with certainty in this case, though a prolonged action of the acetate could also be shown after oral administration.