NSAID induction of interleukin 1/catabolin inhibitor production by osteoarthritic synovial tissue.

Select classes of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID), independent of their cyclooxygenase suppressing property, may potentially regulate pathophysiologic mechanisms operative in accelerated cartilage catabolism occurring in osteoarthritis (OA). Piroxicam has been shown to downregulate the expression of interleukin 1 (IL-1) associated chondrocyte enzyme inducing activity (catabolin) produced by OA synovium. In situ membrane synthesis of catabolin/IL-1 inhibitors functioning at various levels in thymocyte and catabolin bioassay systems is currently shown. The piroxicam effect appears due to a selective increase in production of a naturally occurring inhibitor(s) and/or induction of new inhibitor formation acting on chondrocytes at a post-IL-1 receptor level.