Effects of indomethacin, triamcinolone, and dexamethasone on recombinant human interleukin-1-induced substance P and prostaglandin E2 levels in rabbit knee joints.

Intra-articular (i.a.) injection of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha (rHuIL-1 alpha) in rabbit knees induced both an inflammation, as determined by increases in leukocytes in the joint fluid, and cartilage degradation, as measured by loss of proteoglycan. Substance P (SP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the joint lavage are also elevated. Treatment with 5 mg indomethacin/kg, p.o., b.i.d., 2 mg triamcinolone i.a., and 10 mg dexamethasone/kg, p.o., reduced synovial lavage leukocyte counts, as well as PGE2 and SP lavage concentrations induced with IL-1 injection. However, none of the treatments inhibited rHuIL-1-induced proteoglycan loss.