Quantitative evaluation of an experimental inflammation induced with Freund's complete adjuvant in dogs

A chronic inflammation model in dogs was induced by intraarticular injection of Freund's Complete Adjuvant in the stifle. After a primary, acute response during the first 24 hr, a secondary subacute response was observed after a delay of approximately 3 weeks and persisted for several weeks. To evaluate the time course of the inflammatory process quantitatively, we tested more than 100 different parameters. Finally, only four parameters were selected based on practicability and metrological properties, namely, the body temperature, difference in skin temperature, difference in stifle diameter and vertical force exerted by arthritic hind limb measured using a force plate. The main results of the experimentation were the demonstration that these four parameters were sufficiently repeatable, reproducible, and appropriate to be used for quantitative evaluation of the inflammatory process, and that training of both animals and investigators was required. Finally, it was illustrated that an adjuvant periarthritis in dogs can be used to carry out a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling of an antiinflammatory drug.