The relationship between development of ultraviolet erythema and release of prostaglandins in guinea pig skin.
Ultraviolet erythema in the guinea pid has been in use for many years as a model for assessing the anti-inflammatory potency of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, the degree of erythema usually being estimated about 2 h after u.v. exposure. Using a suction blister technique for obtaining tissue fluid from erythemic and normal skin of the guinea pig we have shown that prostaglandin output in ultraviolet-irradiated skin increases rapidly during the first 2 h after irradiation, at which time the erythema reaches near-maximal development. Flurbiprofen, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, almost totally prevents the appearance of prostaglandins in the blister fluid and significantly reduces the degree of erythema in the skin during this early period. However, in flurbiprofen-treated animals, although prostaglandin synthesis is also suppressed at 4 to 5 h after exposure and is still partially suppressed at 17 h, a well developed erythema nevertheless appears by 4 h. This indicates the appearance of one or more non-prostaglandin mediators in the later stages of the reaction.
D000818:Animals; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D011453:Prostaglandins; D005480:Flurbiprofen