Endogenous substances as modulators of inflammation

Animal models for the study of atypical anti-inflammatory agents

In contrast to the approach focusing on aspirin and cortisone as models for research, a physiopathologically-oriented approach provides the rationale for developing animal models suitable for detecting anti-inflammatory agents with a profile of therapeutic and side effects unlike that of currently used drugs. The so-called 'primary' anti-inflammatory agents have a marked efficacy in animal models of acute inflammation and lack significant anti-PG effects. Clinically, they relieve the symptoms of acute inflammatory conditions, both topically and systemically, are practically inactive in rheumatic disorders and have a profile of side-effects different from that of aspirin or cortisone. Available data suggest that their characteristic profile of side and therapeutic effects reflect qualitative, rather than quantitative differences, from aspirin and cortisone. The so-called 'secondary' anti-inflammatory agents affect the conditioning factors for some inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, rather than the inflammatory process itself. Besides the derangement of the immune system and the consequent development of immunomodulators, the role of specific protein changes as a conditioning factor is discussed and animal models are illustrated focusing on this phenomenon. The possibility is also discussed that protein denaturation is not only responsible for the formation of new antigenic determinants, but also for necrotic lesions accompanying some inflammatory disorders. Results obtained with animal models of conditioned inflammation with marked necrotic lesions are presented. The interest for this approach is that conditioning factors for inflammation appear a more specific target for drug treatment, rather than inflammation itself.

Copper and inflammation--a possible rationale for the pharmacological manipulation of inflammatory disorders

Acute and chronic inflammations are characterized, among other features, by changes in the metabolism of copper and by a widespread responsiveness to the therapy with copper-containing molecules. The exact map of inflammation-induced copper movements as well as the role played by the metal in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders are, however, far from being clear, and this is especially true in the case of chronic processes. Nevertheless the present knowledge suggests that the "copper approach' may provide a new way for coping with the problem of anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic therapies. The administration of exogenous copper, and the in vivo manipulation of the endogenous metal levels are proposed as two possible therapeutic strategies, not necessarily mutually exclusive. For a better understanding of the value of such an approach, further research work is needed, especially to attain a more detailed know-how on the involved chemical forms, distribution and functions of copper in both normal as well as inflamed organisms.