| ABSTRACT: |
|
We have developed and quantitated a reproducible standardized
granulomatous inflammatory reaction using divinyl copolymer beads.
Approximately 10000 gas sterilized beads (43-53 micron in diameter) are
injected into the tail veins of mice and embolize to the lungs where they
evoke granuloma formation which is maximal at 48 h. The anti-inflammatory
effects of both steroidal and nonsteroidal agents, namely, bacterial
levan, hydrocortisone acetate, polyanetholsulfonate, indomethacin,
acetylsalicylic acid, ellagic acid, and aminophylline were determined by
comparing granuloma size in treated animals with those in untreated
controls. Granulomas in paraffin sections were traced on the ground glass
screen of a light microscope and the area of each granuloma measured with
a digitizer-computer programmed to prepare histograms and merge data from
replicate experiments. Of the agents tested, the greatest reductions in
granuloma size occurred after treatment with bacterial levan (71%),
hydrocortisone (70%), polyanetholsulfonate (58%), and indomethacin
(55%). |