Modulation of exudate inflammation parameters in rat carrageenan-induced granuloma by modification of exudate iron levels.

We have used the carrageenan-induced pouch-granuloma in rats to investigate how changes in low-molecular-mass iron chelate levels in the exudate, induced by iron loading (iron-dextran) or chelation (desferrioxamine) influence cellular and systemic inflammatory parameters. In the iron-treated group we observed a rapid decrease in the number of leukocytes and exudate volume; there was also an increase in ferritin iron and low-molecular-mass iron chelates, and on the eighth day a systemic response. In the desferrioxamine-treated group we detected a decrease in low-molecular-mass iron chelates, ferritin iron, and an increase in the number of leukocytes. We describe the protective effects of desferrioxamine against the deleterious effects of ferrous iron and relate this to its chelating and scavenging activity. The results suggest that the levels of low-molecular-mass iron chelates modulate the inflammatory response, possibly through their contribution to the oxygen free radical generation, which is responsible for the cell membrane damage and subsequently its death. The modulatory action of iron-dextran and desferrioxamine support our hypothesis.