Effects of various substances on two types of inflammatory reaction in animals

The effects of 16 substances, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, a corticoid, phenols, immunomodulators and gold salts, were studied using two types of acute inflammatory reaction, a non-specific reaction (carrageenan-induced oedema) and an immune reaction (reversed passive Arthus reaction in the rat or active Arthus reaction in the mouse). Results revealed that the active Arthus model appears to be more selective than the passive reversed Arthus model, which is itself less sensitive than the carrageenan model. The active Arthus reaction might be useful for secondary screening of molecules that act on mechanisms modulating the intervention of complement and the various functions of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and the passive Arthus reaction appears to be more suitable for preliminary screening. The activities of the different substances studied are discussed in terms of their modes of action and toxicity.