title: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor rolipram in a rat model of arthritis.
abstract: There has been much interest in strategies which modulate tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and/or function in rheumatoid arthritis. The elevation of intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in leukocytes by phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors is accompanied by significant inhibition of the production of TNF-alpha. Nevertheless, these drugs may enhance the hyperalgesia induced by a range of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-alpha. In the present study, we examined the effects of the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor rolipram on the local inflammatory infiltrate and hyperalgesia in a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis. Rolipram (3 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage from day 10 to 14 after disease induction. Pretreatment with rolipram abrogated oedema formation and significantly inhibited hyperalgesia. Histopathological analysis revealed a marked inhibition of cellular influx as well as bone and cartilage destruction. Serum and local TNF-alpha levels were suppressed in treated animals whereas there were little changes in interleukin-1beta levels. Although cyclic AMP elevating agents may affect nociceptor threshold to increase the hyperalgesic responses acutely, they also possess significant anti-inflammatory activity, which may hinder local mediator release and/or action. The anti-inflammatory effects of rolipram predominate during this chronic arthritis model in the rat.
authors.affiliation: Departament of Farmacologia, Instituto Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Francischi
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yokoro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.forename: F Q
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054703:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D020889:Rolipram / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; D054703:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4; D020889:Rolipram