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Rheumatoid arthritis cells and biochemical changes in turpentine-induced pleuritis in rabbits
P Faurschou1, N Grunnet, O Winding
1Department of Lung Medicine Y, Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Summary
Turpentine-induced pleuritis in rabbits created pleural effusions with low pH and glucose, high LDH, and rheumatoid factor cells. These findings mimic human rheumatoid pleuritis, suggesting non-specific inflammatory changes.
Area of Science:
- Experimental Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Rheumatoid pleuritis is a common manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.
- The specific biochemical and cellular characteristics of rheumatoid pleural effusion are not fully understood.
- Distinguishing rheumatoid pleuritis from other exudative pleural effusions can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of experimentally induced pleural effusion using turpentine in rabbits.
- To compare the findings in turpentine-induced pleuritis with human rheumatoid pleuritis.
- To assess the specificity of observed changes in pleural fluid.
Main Methods:
- Turpentine was instilled into the right pleural cavity of rabbits to induce pleuritis.
- Pleural effusion development was monitored.
- Biochemical analysis of pleural fluid was performed, including pH, glucose concentration, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity.
- Cellular content of pleural fluid was examined, specifically looking for rheumatoid factor cells.
- Comparison with normal pleural fluid analyzed using a microtechnique.
Main Results:
- Pleural effusion developed in 50% of rabbits following turpentine instillation.
- The effusions exhibited low pH, low glucose concentration, and high LDH activity.
- Rheumatoid factor cells were consistently present in the affected pleural cavities.
- Biochemical values in the experimental pleural fluid were significantly different from normal pleural fluid.
- The induced changes in pleural fluid mirrored findings in human rheumatoid pleuritis.
Conclusions:
- Experimentally induced turpentine pleuritis in rabbits results in pleural effusions with specific biochemical and cellular characteristics.
- These experimentally induced changes are similar to those observed in human rheumatoid pleuritis.
- The findings suggest that the observed changes in pleural effusion associated with rheumatoid arthritis may be non-specific inflammatory responses rather than indicative of an immunological background.