[Histological studies on the antiphlogistic effects caused by natural antiinflammatory factors (author's transl)]

The dextran gel Sephadex causes a marked inflammatory response in rats when injected subcutaneously. This effect was used as a model of experimental inflammation. Sephadex and the resulting inflammatory exudate were gained and used again to study their antiphlogistic effects in the identical model. Histological reactions of the Sephadex induced acute inflammation were analyzed with and without presence of the exudate.

Male and female Wistar rats (100-250 g). Sephadex G-200 (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals). Sephadex B-200 (1 ml, swollen in 0.9% NaCl) was injected subcutaneously in the control group (C), whereas the experimental groups were injected with either untreated Sephadex taken from 1,3 and 5 days old inflammatory deposits (group A) or with Sephadex, extracted from those deposits but subsequently washed free by 0.9% NaCl (group B). Only the inner and not yet organized part of the Sephadex deposit was used in both experimental groups. In group A, B and C the histological effects were examined 24h after injection. The number of eosinophils amongst the exudate cells was counted. 100 mast cells of the perifocal region were examined in order to measure the percentage of degranulated cells. A smear differential count was performed using subepidermic parts of the Sephadex deposit.

Sephadex injection caused a very marked inflammatory reaction which was studied extensively. Similar results were obtained either using fresh Sephadex or washed Sephadex from inflammatory deposits. However, Sephadex from inflammatory deposits without wash induced only mild inflammatory reactions. All signs of acute inflammation were less pronounced. Hence, the phlogistic efficacy of Sephadex is reduced by the simultaneous presence of exudate. The most significant antiphlogistic effects were seen when exudate containing Sephadex from 3 days old inflammatory deposits was used. The significance of soluble parts of the exudate in these antiphlogistic effects is discussed.