THE EFFECTS OF d‐PENICILLAMINE AND LEVAMISOLE ON LEUCOCYTE CHEMOTAXIS IN THE RAT

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Abstract
1 The administration of D-penicillamine (25 mg/kg) or levamisole (5 mg/kg) had no effect on leucocyte emigration into the exudates formed in inert sponges implanted in normal rats. 2 In rats, previously sensitized to Bordetella pertussis and implanted with sponges containing pertussis vaccine, an increased leucocyte migration into the exudates occurred; this was significantly enhanced by the administration of the drugs. 3 Neither drug in vitro affected the chemotaxis of rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes although random migration was significantly increased by levamisole (2 μg to 1 mg/ml). Neither drug affected the chemotaxis of rat mononuclear cells although levamisole (25 μg/ml) significantly increased that of human monocytes. 4 It is concluded that both drugs produce similar effects in an animal model of delayed hypersensitivity and that their clinical antirheumatic actions may have common elements.