Protective effects of ciprofloxacin against type II collagen induced arthritis in rats

Ciprofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic, inhibits the in vitro production of interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha by monocytes. We investigated its activity against type II collagen induced arthritis in rats. It exerted a dose dependent preventive effect at 50 and 75 mg/kg/day against clinical and histologic features of collagen induced arthritis without any influence on the production of anticollagen antibodies and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. This effect was reversible after early removal of the treatment. Ciprofloxacin did not inhibit collagen induced arthritis in adrenalectomized rats but rather caused an exacerbation of the disease. Its effect was not modified by the simultaneous administration of an antiglucocorticoid, RU 40555.