Antiarthritic and Antiinflammatory Effects of Certain Prostaglandins

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

PGE₁ and PGE₂ produce antiarthritic and acute antiinflammatory effects when given at high dosages to rats. PGA₂ and PGF_2a are inactive in these tests. All of the prostaglandins examined here are inactive when given orally to rats with acute or chronic inflammation. Other vasoactive drugs (ethyl alochol and isoproterenol) inhibit acute and chronic inflammation. Paradoxically, perhaps, it has been reported that prostaglandins are proinflammatory (12-14). Other proinflammatory drugs (digitonin, saponin, and Filipin) also elicit nonspecific acute antiinflammatory effects when given intraperitoneally. The high pharmacologic doses of prostaglandins required to elicit antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects in animals cause adrenal hyperplasia, prostration, and diarrhea. It is conceivable that their secondary antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects may be related to these primary phenomena.