Turpentine-induced acute inflammatory response in Gallus gallus: oedema, vascular permeability and effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Turpentine-induced acute inflammatory responses in chicks were studied experimentally. Foot pad oedema was measured using a plethysmograph. Skin vascular permeability was evaluated using the Evans blue technique. Turpentine injury induced a typical biphasic response when the two parameters of the inflammatory reaction were studied. Some unexpected alterations of the turpentine-induced inflammatory response were seen when chicks received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pretreatment with promethazine, phenylbutazone, methysergide and indomethacin resulted in a decrease in foot oedema. An inhibitory effect upon vascular permeability was found when promethazine, phenylbutazone and indomethacin were used. Methysergide did not inhibit the increase in vascular permeability of the skin. Possible mechanisms are discussed.