CRYSTAL-INDUCED INFLAMMATION, ENZYME-RELEASE AND THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS IN THE RAT PLEURAL SPACE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 6  (3) , 251-258
Abstract
The pleural space of the rat was used to study the acute inflammatory response to crystals of monosodium urate monohydrate, Ca pyrophosphate dihydrate and hydroxyapatite. Each crystal caused a brisk inflammatory response accompanied by crystal phagocytosis and release of lysosomal enzymes. These responses were modified by the anti-inflammatory drugs indomethacin, dexamethasone, colchicine and cyclophosphamide. The resting cell population of the pleural space evidently contributed to the response. Lysosomal enzyme release may play only a minor role in the mediation of increased vascular permeability.