title: Topical mannitol reduces inflammatory edema in a rat model of arthritis.
abstract: The hexahydric alcohol mannitol is widely used to shift fluids from the intracellular to the extracellular compartments, to increase diuresis and improve mucus clearance in the airways. In principle, because of its physicochemical properties, topical mannitol might also draw fluids out of epidermis or mucosa. Here, we report that topical mannitol applications on the hind paws of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis reduced paw thickness and tissue edema without affecting the inflammatory infiltrates. Of note, the anti-edema effects of acute (4 h) mannitol application occurred earlier than those prompted by a similar treatment with classic anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac or ketoprofen. Yet, the extent of edema reduction was higher with diclofenac or ketoprofen than with mannitol when the drugs were applied in a chronic (16 h) paradigm. Together, data demonstrate that topical application of mannitol exerts potent and fast anti-edema effects in a rat model of joint inflammation, suggesting a possible utilization in patients affected by osseo-arthritic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. leonardo.cavone@unifi.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cavone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calosi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cinci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiarugi
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004008:Diclofenac; D008353:Mannitol; D007660:Ketoprofen