Original Paper

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Somatostatin Analogs on Zymosan-Induced Earlobe Inflammation in Mice: Comparison with Dexamethasone and Ketoprofen
Ilona Kurnatowska, Marek Pawlikowski

Institute of Endocrinology, Medical University of ód, Poland

Address of Corresponding Author

NeuroImmunoModulation 2001;9:119-124 (DOI: 10.1159/000049015)

  Key Words

• Inflammation
• Somatostatin analogs
• Octreotide
• Vapreotide
• Dexamethasone
• Ketoprofen

  Abstract

The aim of the present study was the estimation of the anti-inflammatory effects of the somatostatin analogs, octreotide (OCT) and vapreotide (RC-160), in zymosan-induced mice ear inflammation and to compare their effects with those of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DX) and the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen (KP), which are the well-known and potent suppressors of the inflammatory reaction. The inflammation was induced by injecting 20 µl of 1% suspension of zymosan intradermally into one of the earlobes of the mouse. The control animals received a vehicle 0.9% NaCl. The zymosan-treated animals were injected subcutaneously with one of the following substances: 0.9% NaCl, OCT, RC-160, DX, KP or with OCT plus DX and OCT plus KP. The edema of earlobes, the area of inflammatory focus and the area of vascular profiles in the inflamed tissues were estimated. A reduction of the ear edema in the mice treated with OCT, DX, KP, OCT + DX and OCT + KP was observed. The administration of all drugs caused the decrease of the area of the inflammatory focus and of the area of vascular profiles. The antiphlogistic activity was more pronounced in the OCT-treated animals in comparison to those treated with RC-160. The joint treatment with either OCT plus DX or OCT plus KP almost totally inhibited the zymosan-induced inflammatory reaction. In summary, the somatostatin analog OCT possesses antiphlogistic activity roughly comparable with classical anti-inflammatory drugs such as DX and KP. The somatostatin analogs may constitute a new promising group of anti-inflammatory agents.

Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Marek Pawlikowski, MD, PhD
Institute of Endocrinology, Medical University of ód
Dr Sterling Str. 3
PL-91-425 ód (Poland)
Tel./Fax +48 42 6324854, E-Mail m.pawlikowski@mail.e.pl

  Article Information

Received: Received: January 22, 2001
Accepted: June 14, 2001
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 37