Antinociceptive actions of R(-)-flurbiprofen--a non-cyclooxygenase inhibiting 2-arylpropionic acid--in rats

Intraperitoneal administration of R(-)- and S(+)-flurbiprofen resulted in dose dependent antinociceptive behavior in the rat paw formalin test. S(+)-flurbiprofen was significantly more potent than the non-cyclooxygenase inhibiting R(-)-enantiomer with a potency ratio of about 3 to 1. Chiral inversion was very low and does not seem to account for the action of R(-)-flurbiprofen. In a modified Randall Selitto assay also both enantiomers were active in a dose dependent manner following systemic administration. Following local administration into the inflamed paw only S(+)-flurbiprofen showed significant dose related antinociceptive effects. R(-)-flurbiprofen was unable to block prostaglandin E2 induced hyperalgesia following local administration. Consequently, a central site of action independent of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition has to be discussed with respect to antinociceptive activity following systemic administration.

Bradykinin initiates cytokine-mediated inflammatory hyperalgesia

1. The hyperalgesic activities in rats of bradykinin, carrageenin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were investigated in a model of mechanical hyperalgesia. 2. Bradykinin and carrageenin evoked dose-dependent hyperalgesia with maximum responses of similar magnitude to responses to LPS (1 and 5 micrograms). 3. Hoe 140, an antagonist of BK2 receptors, inhibited in a dose-dependent manner hyperalgesic responses to bradykinin, carrageenin and LPS (1 microgram) but not responses to LPS (5 micrograms), prostaglandin E2, dopamine, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8. 4. Responses to bradykinin and LPS (1 and 5 micrograms) were inhibited by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin and by the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol. The effects of indomethacin and atenolol were additive: their combination abolished responses to bradykinin and LPS (1 microgram) and markedly attenuated the response to LPS (5 micrograms). 5. Antiserum neutralizing endogenous TNF alpha abolished the response to bradykinin whereas antisera neutralizing endogenous IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 each partially inhibited the response. The combination of antisera neutralizing endogenous IL-1 beta+IL-8 or IL-6+IL-8 abolished the response to bradykinin. 6. Antisera neutralizing endogenous TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 each partially inhibited responses to LPS (1 and 5 micrograms). Increasing the dose of antiserum to TNF alpha or giving a combination of antisera to IL-1 beta+IL-8 or IL-6+IL-8 further inhibited responses to LPS (1 and 5 micrograms). 7. These data show that bradykinin can initiate the cascade of cytokine release that mediates hyperalgesic responses to carrageenin and endotoxin (1 microgram). The lack of effect of Hoe 140 on hyperalgesic responses to LPS (5 microgram) suggests that the release of hyperalgesic cytokines can be initiated independently of bradykinin BK2 receptors.

Blockade by fenspiride of endotoxin-induced neutrophil migration in the rat

Fenspiride, an antiinflammatory drug with low anti-cyclooxygenase activity, administered orally at 60-200 mg/kg inhibited neutrophil migration into peritoneal and air pouches cavities as well as exudation into peritoneal cavities induced by endotoxin but not induced by carrageenin. Up to 100 microM, fenspiride failed to inhibit the in vitro release of a neutrophil chemotactic activity by endotoxin-stimulated macrophages and the in vivo migration into the peritoneal cavities induced by the supernatant of those macrophages. The release of tumour necrosis factor by stimulated macrophages was inhibited by fenspiride in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the antiinflammatory effects of fenspiride are associated with the inhibition of the tumour necrosis factor release by resident macrophages.

Macrophage-released neutrophil chemotactic factor (MNCF) induces PMN-neutrophil migration through lectin-like activity

We have previously reported that rat peritoneal macrophages stimulated with LPS release a factor (MNCF) which induces neutrophil migration that is not blocked by glucocorticoids. The supernatant of macrophage monolayers stimulated with LPS was submitted to affinity chromatography on immobilized sugar columns. We observed that the D-gal binding fraction retained MNCF activity. This fraction, consisting of four protein components, was submitted to chromatography on Superdex 75, yielding a homogeneous preparation of the active component. MNCF has a MW of 54 KDa (gel filtration and SDS-PAGE) and pI < 4.0 (isoelectrofocusing and chromatofocusing). D-gal did not interfere with the behaviour of known interleukins (IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 TNF-alpha), but blocked MNCF activity in an in vitro migration assay. The present results reinforce our previous suggestion that MNCF may correspond to a novel monokine which induces neutrophil migration through a direct mechanism involving the D-gal binding site of the molecule.

Bradykinin release of TNF-alpha plays a key role in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia

Using specific antisera for IL-1 beta and IL-8, as well as cyclooxygenase inhibitors and propranolol, we have demonstrated that these cytokines are responsible for the prostaglandin and sympathetic components of carrageenin-induced hyperalgesia in the rat paw test. The release of IL-1 beta and IL-8 is preceded by the liberation of TNF-alpha. We have also tested in a nociceptive model the effects of bradykinin and a specific bradykinin antagonist, HOE 140, on the hyperalgesia induced by carrageenin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bradykinin-induced hyperalgesia was abolished by HOE 140 and by treatment of the paws with anti-TNF-alpha antisera. HOE 140 significantly inhibited the hyperalgesia induced by carrageenin and LPS. It is suggested that in these two models bradykinin is associated with the release of hyperalgesic cytokines.

Interference of a neutrophil recruitment inhibitory factor upon the accumulation of inflammatory cells and airway hyperreactivity in sensitized guinea-pigs after intranasal antigen challenge

1. A neutrophil recruitment inhibitory factor (NRIF) recovered from the crude supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages inhibited neutrophil migration following both intratracheal and intravenous administration of LPS, but did not alter the pattern of leukopenia/leucocytosis induced by intravenous LPS. 2. The correlation between airway infiltration by inflammatory cells and hyperreactivity in lungs from actively sensitized and challenged guinea-pigs was investigated by use of NRIF. 3. Increased eosinophil counts were found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from guinea-pigs sensitized with 10 micrograms ovalbumin and challenged at day 14 by the intranasal administration of the antigen. The increase was evident 5 h after challenge and persisted at 24 h. Neutrophil numbers were also increased at this time. Pretreatment with NRIF suppressed the leucocyte increase in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. 4. Bronchoconstriction and histamine release induced by 3 ng PAF injected into the isolated lungs were increased in challenged guinea-pigs as compared to sensitized but unchallenged controls. Pretreatment of the animals with NRIF did not interfere with this response, but significantly reduced the bronchoconstriction induced by ovalbumin injection. 5. Even though the increased number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage and airway hyperresponsiveness were concomitant, NRIF inhibited cellular infiltration but failed to alter airway hyperreactivity to PAF, demonstrating that these events may occur independently. Conversely, the inhibition of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction by NRIF suggests that this response is dependent upon the emigration of granulocytes.

The role of interleukins and nitric oxide in the mediation of inflammatory pain and its control by peripheral analgesics

Tissue injury or the presence of foreign material initiates a series of pathophysiological events that may manifest as inflammatory pain. The physicochemical characteristics of the initiating factor trigger the release of a unique range of pain mediators that control the threshold and activation of nociceptors. It has been suggested that many nociceptors associated with inflammatory pain are dormant, and are activated by cyclo-oxygenase metabolites and sympathomimetic amines into a state of hyperalgesia. In this state, pain receptors may be activated by previously ineffective stimuli. The relative contribution of the mediators to the activation process varies with the experimental model or the pathophysiological process involved. The mechanisms that control the activity of the pain receptor are unfolding. Indeed, research has shown a central role for bradykinin (released from plasma) and cytokines (released from tissues and resident cells) in this process. The release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) initiates the release of interleukin-1 and interleukin-8, which in turn liberate cyclo-oxygenase metabolites and sympathomimetic amines, respectively. In some models of inflammatory pain, bradykinin causes hyperalgesia via release of TNF-alpha. Drugs blocking cyclo-oxygenase (aspirin-like drugs), or those antagonising the effects of sympathomimetic amines (beta-blockers), prevent sensitisation of the pain receptors. However, during hyperalgesia only specific types of analgesics are capable of nociceptor downregulation. It is assumed that sensitisation of nociceptors is due to increased concentrations of cAMP/Ca++ in the sensory neurons. The effect of increased cAMP concentrations may be counteracted by stimulation of the arginine/nitric oxide/cGMP pathway. Peripherally acting opiates and dipyrone are examples of analgesics that act via this mechanism. The analgesic effects of glucocorticoids and nimesulide appear to be attributable to inhibition of cytokine release.

The pivotal role of tumour necrosis factor alpha in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia

1. The hyperalgesic activities in rats of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and carrageenin were investigated. 2. IL-6 activated the previously delineated IL-1/prostaglandin hyperalgesic pathway but not the IL-8/sympathetic mediated hyperalgesic pathway. 3. TNF alpha and carrageenin activated both pathways. 4. Antiserum neutralizing endogenous TNF alpha abolished the response to carrageenin whereas antisera neutralizing endogenous IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 each partially inhibited the response. 5. The combination of antisera neutralizing endogenous IL-1 beta + IL-8 or IL-6 + IL-8 abolished the response to carrageenin. 6. These results show that TNF alpha has an early and crucial role in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia. 7. The delineation of the role of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia taken together with the finding that the production of these cytokines is inhibited by steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs provides a mechanism of action for these drugs in the treatment of inflammatory hyperalgesia.

The molecular mechanism of central analgesia induced by morphine or carbachol and the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway

The role of the L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in morphine-induced central analgesia was investigated in two nociceptive tests: PGE2-induced hind paw hyperalgesia and tail-flick. The central analgesic effect of morphine was potentiated by MY5445, a specific cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor. I.c.v. injections of morphine or carbachol caused dose-dependent analgesia, which was prevented by methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase. The NO synthase inhibitor, N-iminoethyl-L-ornithine, prevented carbachol-induced analgesia, but did not affect morphine-induced analgesia. Our results suggest that activation of cGMP may underlies analgesia induced by morphine and carbachol. The activation of guanylate cyclase by carbachol seems to depend on the L-arginine-NO pathway, but that caused by morphine remains to be further characterized.

Blockade of hyperalgesia and neurogenic oedema by topical application of nitroglycerin

Surprisingly, a single topical application of a nitroglycerin (NTG) gel in humans has been shown to cause analgesia and to reduce oedema in thrombophlebitis. In the present investigation, we showed that the NTG gel reduces prostaglandin E2-induced hyperalgesia and blocks neurogenic inflammation induced in rat skin by antidromic electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve. These results offer an explanation for the effects of topical application of NTG observed in thrombophlebitis, which may be common to other cutaneous pathologies. The data also support the development of nitrates the effects of which are restricted to the site of application.

Analgesia by direct antagonism of nociceptor sensitization involves the arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP pathway

We tested the hypothesis that activation of the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway is involved in the mechanism of two directly acting non-opiate peripheral analgesics, myrcene and dipyrone, using our modification of the Randall-Selitto test. The NO inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (50 micrograms/paw) and methylene blue (500 micrograms/paw) abolished the analgesic effect of dipyrone and myrcene. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (DbcAMP) caused a dose-dependent hyperalgesia (20, 50 and 100 micrograms/paw). Only responses to low doses of DbcAMP were inhibited by the two analgesics. Pretreatment with MY5445 (50 micrograms/paw) resulted in potentiation of the effects of both analgesics. These results support our hypothesis that the sensitivity of nociceptors may be controlled by the balance between the levels of cAMP and cGMP. Stimulation of the NO-cGMP pathway is probably the common denominator for the mode of action of peripheral analgesics which block hyperalgesia directly.

Peripheral analgesic activities of peptides related to alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone and interleukin-1 beta 193-195

1. The hyperalgesic effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured in rats. 2. Hyperalgesic responses to IL-1 beta were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-related peptides with the following order of potency: [N1(4),D-Phe7]alpha-MSH greater than alpha-MSH greater than Lys-D-Pro-Val greater than Lys-Pro-Val greater than Lys-D-Pro-Thr greater than D-Lys-Pro-Thr. 3. Hyperalgesic responses to PGE2 were not inhibited by Lys-D-Pro-Thr and D-Lys-Pro-Thr but were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the other peptides with the same order of potency as against IL-1 beta. 4. The potencies of [N1(4), D-Phe7]alpha-MSH and alpha-MSH were greatly diminished by deletion of their C-terminal tripeptide, Lys11-Pro-Val13. 5. Nor-binaltorphimine (Nor-BNI) largely reversed the analgesic effects of alpha-MSH, [N1(4), D-Phe7]alpha-MSH, Lys-Pro-Val and Lys-D-Pro-Val indicating that kappa-opioid receptors mediated the analgesic activity of these peptides. 6. Nor-BNI did not antagonize the inhibition by Lys-D-Pro-Thr and D-Lys-Pro-Thr of IL-1 beta evoked hyperalgesia indicating that these peptides were not acting via kappa-opioid receptors.

Role of resident macrophages in canatoxin-induced in vivo neutrophil migration

Canatoxin (Cntx), a toxic protein purified from Canavalia ensiformis seeds, was shown to have lipoxygenase-mediated effects either in vivo or in vitro. Data here show that Cntx induced a dose-dependent migration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells when injected into rat peritoneal cavities. Furthermore, Cntx was able to induce neutrophil migration into pleural cavities and into air pouches. These effects were inhibited by dexamethasone but not by inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism (indomethacin, NDGA, and BW-755c) or by a PAF antagonist (BN 52021). In the peritoneal cavity Cntx caused an increase in vascular permeability inhibited by dexamethasone and BW-755c. Neutrophil migration induced by this toxin was dependent on the number of resident macrophages, since the migratory effect was enhanced by increasing the peritoneal macrophage population with thioglycollate pretreatment and was diminished when this population was reduced by peritoneal wash. It was also observed that Cntx induced release of a chemotactic factor from macrophage monolayers in vitro. Dexamethasone blocked this release but did not affect in vivo neutrophil recruitment induced by that factor. These data suggest that Cntx-induced neutrophil migration may be mediated by the same macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor released by other stimuli such as LPS, IL-1, and INF-gamma.

Interleukin-8 as a mediator of sympathetic pain

1. The hyperalgesic effects of interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and carrageenin were measured in a rat paw pressure test. 2. IL-8 evoked a dose-dependent hyperalgesia which was attenuated by a specific antiserum, the beta-adrenoceptor antagonists atenolol and propranolol, the dopamine receptor antagonist SCH 23390 and the adrenergic neurone-blocking agent guanethidine. The hyperalgesia was not attenuated by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin or the IL-1 beta analogue Lys-D-Pro-Thr. 3. IL-1 beta-evoked hyperalgesia was attenuated by indomethacin and Lys-D-Pro-Thr but not by atenolol or SCH 23390. 4. Carrageenin-evoked hyperalgesia was attenuated by atenolol, indomethacin and anti-IL-8 serum. The effects of atenolol and anti-IL-8 serum were not additive. The effects of indomethacin and anti-IL-8 serum were additive: this combination abolished carrageenin-evoked hyperalgesia. 5. A new biological activity of IL-8 is described, namely the capacity to evoke hyperalgesia by a prostaglandin-independent mechanism. IL-8 is the first endogenous mediator to be identified as evoking hyperalgesia involving the sympathetic nervous system. Since IL-8 is released by activated macrophages and endothelial cells it may be a humoral link between tissue injury and sympathetic hyperalgesia.

IL-8 causes in vivo neutrophil migration by a cell-dependent mechanism

A dose-dependent neutrophil migration was observed following the injection of recombinant interleukin-8 (rIL-8) into rat peritoneal cavities. This finding contrasts with the inability of rIL-8 to induce neutrophil emigration into subcutaneous air-pouches. Pre-treatment of the animals with dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) or depletion of the peritoneal resident cell population abolished the neutrophil migration induced by rIL-8 and by recombinant interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta). Different from that which occurs with rIL-1 beta, neutrophil migration induced by rIL-8 was not enhanced by an increase in the peritoneal macrophage population. Transference of homologous total resident peritoneal cells to the air-pouch rendered this cavity responsive to the chemotactic effect of rIL-8 and potentiated the neutrophil migration induced by rIL-1. Our results show that both rIL-8 and rIL-1 beta are able to induce in vivo neutrophil migration by an indirect mechanism, dependent on resident cells. Neither macrophages nor lymphocytes seem to be involved in the rIL-8 chemotactic effect. However, peritoneal resident mast cells may be implicated in this mechanism. These cells, when stimulated in vitro by rIL-8, released a factor that when injected into peritoneal and air-pouch cavities induced neutrophil migration.

Myrcene mimics the peripheral analgesic activity of lemongrass tea

Oral administration of an infusion of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) fresh leaves to rats produced a dose-dependent analgesia for the hyperalgesia induced by subplantar injections of either carrageenin or prostaglandin E2, but did not affect that induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These results indicate a peripheral site of action which was confirmed with the essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves. Silica gel column fractionation of the essential oil allowed the identification of myrcene as the major analgesic component in the oil. Identification of the components was made by thin-layer chromatography and checked by mass spectrometry. The peripheral analgesic effect of myrcene was confirmed by testing a standard commercial preparation on the hyperalgesia induced by prostaglandin in the rat paw test and upon the contortions induced by intraperitoneal injections of iloprost in mice. In contrast to the central analgesic effect of morphine, myrcene did not cause tolerance on repeated injection in rats. This analgesic activity supports the use of lemongrass tea as a "sedative" in folk medicine. Terpenes such as myrcene may constitute a lead for the development of new peripheral analgesics with a profile of action different from that of the aspirin-like drugs.

Quaternary ammonium salt derivatives of allylphenols with peripheral analgesic effect

Ammonium salt derivatives of natural allylphenols were synthesized with the purpose of obtaining potential peripheral analgesics. These drugs, by virtue of their physicochemical properties, would not be able to cross the blood brain barrier. Their inability to enter into the central nervous system (CNS) should prevent several adverse effects observed with classical opiate analgesics (Ferreira et al., 1984). Eugenol (1) O-methyleugenol (5) and safrole (9) were submitted to nitration, reduction and permethylation, leading to the ammonium salts 4, 8 and 12. Another strategy applied to eugenol (1), consisting in its conversion to a glycidic ether (13), opening the epoxide ring with secondary amines and methylation, led to the ammonium salts 16 and 17. All these ammonium salts showed significant peripheral analgesic action, in modified version of the Randall-Sellito test (Ferreira et al., 1978), at non-lethal doses. The ammonium salt 8 showed an activity comparable to that of methylnalorphinium, the prototype of an ideal peripheral analgesic (Ferreira et al., 1984).

Molecular base of acetylcholine and morphine analgesia

We have previously described the peripheral analgesic effect of dibutyryl cyclic GMP, acetylcholine (ACh) and morphine (Mph) injected into the rat paws. Since ACh induces nitric oxide (NO) release from endothelial cells which is though to stimulate guanylate cyclase (GC) we investigated if NO-cyclic GMP pathway was involved in the analgesia by those agents. Using a modification of the Randall-Selitto rat paw test, it was found that sodium nitroprusside, which releases NO non-enzymatically, blocked rat paw PGE2 induced hyperalgesia. The peripheral analgesic effect of sodium nitroprusside, ACh and morphine was enhanced by intraplantar injection of an inhibitor of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (MY5445) and blocked by a GC inhibitor, methylene blue (MB). Peripheral analgesia induced by ACh and morphine, but not by sodium nitroprusside, was blocked by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) an inhibitor of the formation of NO from L-arginine. Central effect of morphine as tested by the rat paw and by the tail flick tests was inhibited by intraventricular injection of methylene blue. In addition, the central morphine analgesia was potentiated by My5445. In contrast, with the periphery, the central effect of morphine was not blocked by L-NMMA. Our results demonstrate that NO causes peripheral analgesia via stimulation of GC and supports the suggestion that at this site morphine and acetylcholine analgesia is subsequent to NO release. In the mechanism of the central analgesic effect of morphine, the cGMP system is activated but via NO release, probably by a direct stimulation of the receptors. This is the first demonstration that links peripheral and central analgesic effect of morphine to the stimulation of GC system.

Recombinant gamma interferon causes neutrophil migration mediated by the release of a macrophage neutrophil chemotactic factor

A dose-dependent neutrophil migration was observed following the injection of purified (Hu IFN-gamma) or recombinant (rIFN-gamma) human gamma interferon into rat peritoneal cavities. This finding contrasts with their inability to cause chemotaxis in vitro in the Boyden chamber. Neutrophil migration into peritoneal cavities and subcutaneous air pouches induced by both preparations of interferon was abolished by pretreatment of the animals with dexamethasone. IFN-gamma-induced neutrophil migration was enhanced when the macrophage population of the peritoneal cavities was increased by previous injection of thioglycollate and reduced by peritoneal lavage. Macrophage monolayers pretreated either with rIFN-gamma or with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli release into the supernatant a factor that stimulates neutrophil recruitment in animals treated with dexamethasone. Dexamethasone blocked this release but did not affect the neutrophil recruitment induced by this factor. These results suggest that IFN-gamma-induced neutrophil migration in vivo may be mediated by the release from resident macrophages of a neutrophil chemotactic factor and that dexamethasone blockade of neutrophil recruitment by IFN-gamma is due to inhibition of the release of this factor.

Recombinant interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor induce neutrophil migration "in vivo" by indirect mechanisms

The alpha and beta forms of recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta) and of recombinant Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF alpha and TNF beta) induced dose-dependent neutrophil migration into rat peritoneal cavities. Migration induced by both IL-1s showed a bell-shaped dose-response curve and IL-1 beta was 3-fold more potent than IL-1 alpha. Pretreatment of the animals with dexamethasone or depletion of the peritoneal macrophage population, abolished the neutrophil migration induced by the four cytokines. "In vitro" stimulation of macrophage monolayers with IL-1 beta and the TNFs released a factor into the supernatant which, unlike these cytokines, induced neutrophil migration in dexamethasone pretreated animals. These results suggest that the neutrophil migration induced by IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF alpha and TNF beta is not due to a direct effect on neutrophils, but occurs via the release of a chemotactic factor(s) from resident macrophages.

Hypotensive effect of captopril. Role of bradykinin and prostaglandinlike substances

Captopril (0.15-10 mg/kg) administration in the anesthetized dog causes immediate hypotension concomitant with an increase in tonus of the assay tissue (cat terminal ileum) superfused with circulating blood (Vane's cascade method). The increase in cat terminal ileum tonus was antagonized by a bradykinin receptor antagonist, L-349b. Treatment of the animals with indomethacin blocked or reversed the hypotensive effect of captopril without affecting the increase in tonus of the cat terminal ileum. Captopril potentiated the hypotension induced by bradykinin injected intra-arterially, and indomethacin reduced the hypotensive effect of intra-arterially injected bradykinin. Addition of captopril or enalapril to the superfusing blood maintained at 37 degrees C in an extracorporeal circuit caused a long-lasting increase in the tonus of the cat terminal ileum. The present results support the hypothesis that immediate hypotension induced by captopril involves a prostaglandin-dependent component possibly resulting from increased bradykinin levels generated in the vicinity of captopril action.

In-vivo blockage of neutrophil migration by LPS is mimicked by a factor released from LPS-stimulated macrophages

The present study was performed to determine the effect of an intravenous injection of the macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MNCF) (Cunha & Ferreira 1986) on neutrophil migration to rat peritoneal cavities, which were challenged with chemotactic stimuli. Macrophage monolayers stimulated by LPS release a factor (MW greater than 10,000 D) which, when injected intravenously, blocked neutrophil migration in carrageenin-induced peritonitis. This inhibition was dependent on dose and lasted more than 2 h. It was not due to neutropaenia, hypotension or LPS contamination. Neutrophil migration induced by LPS, MNCF, the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also blocked by intravenous administration of the factor. Intravenous injection of recombinant interleukin 1 beta or tumour necrosis factor-alpha, present in the samples of the factor, failed to reproduce the described inhibitory effect on neutrophil migration. The release of this factor by LPS-stimulated macrophage monolayers was inhibited by dexamethasone but not by indomethacin. It is suggested that the failure of neutrophils to migrate during septicaemia may be the result of a continuous release of chemotactic factors in the circulation, particularly of the macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor(s).