W-7 (a calmodulin antagonist) inhibits carrageenan-induced paw edema in intact and adrenalectomized rats.

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, on carrageenan-induced rat's paw edema. W-7(50 microMol/kg) was given intraperitoneally synchronous with the intraplantar injection of 0.1 ml of 0.5% carrageenan solution. After four hours, paw edema was assessed by calculating the paw volume changes which measured by hydroplethysmometer. In adrenalectomized rats, both adrenal glands were removed. Treatment of animals with W-7 reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema by 50%. In adrenalectomized rats, W-7 was also effective in reduction of paw edema (52%). There was no significant difference between the effect of W-7 in adrenalectomized and control animals. Our findings suggest that W-7 as a calmodulin inhibitor reduce carrageenan-induced paw edema and the inhibitory effect of W-7 on edema formation appears not to be dependent on adrenal function.