Pharmacological mediators of various immunological and non-immunological inflammatory reactions produced in the pleural cavity.

Intrapleural exudates have been produced in rats and guinea-pigs using calcium pyrophosphate, cell mediated immunity, reversed passive Arthus reaction and carrageenan. The intracellular concentration of various pharmacological mediators has been measured at different times during the evolution of these inflammatory responses. These have been correlated with volume of exudate and cellular migration. The significance of these findings has been discussed and the possible application to the search for new anti-inflammatory agents and their use in diagnostic procedures.