Pharmacological modulation of localized inflammatory reactions: the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug as an adjunct to therapy.

An experimental model was utilized to examine the physiological effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds on locally induced inflammatory lesions in laboratory rabbits. The modulation of specific parameters associated with the inflammatory response, was monitored in vivo using radiolabeled cells and proteins, following the local administration of either indomethacin (INDO), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or sterile saline (as control) in the dermis. In one half of the dorsal aspect of each animal, Arthus-type dermal lesions were induced in triplicate, while similar sites were prepared at identical time periods (1-4, and 6 h) on the contralateral halves. In these latter sites, either INDO or ASA was administered (100 micrograms/site). The non-drug-treated lesions served as intrinsic controls when the inflammatory parameters of vascular permeability, neutrophil (polymorphonuclear) leukocyte infiltration and hemorrhage were investigated. Also, sterile saline or drug-injected, noninflamed sites prepared in each half served as further controls. Statistical analysis indicated a significant suppression of the above-named inflammatory parameters when either INDO or ASA was applied to localized inflammatory sites, as compared to non-drug-treated lesions. This study may serve to illustrate the value of deploying nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory preparations, topically, when conservatively managing the acute patient in clinical practice.