Modification of two models of Arthus reaction in the rat by various drugs.

The action of several steroidal and non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents, immunosuppressives, and antirheumatics (levamisole, chloroquine, sodium aurothiopropanol sulphonate, D-penicillamine) was studied in two models of Arthus-passive reaction in the rat: paw oedema induced by an anti-ovalbumin serum, and pleurisy induced by an anti-bovine-albumin serum. The steroidal antiinflammatory agents reduced both types of reaction. In pleurisy, they acted on exudate and the number of neutrophils. The non-steroidal compounds were not active on the inflammatory reaction of the paw, but they decreased the volume of exudate in pleurisy without having any clear effect on cellular phenomena. The antirheumatics and immunosuppressives showed little or no action on the two models: of these only gold salt decreased Arthus reaction in the paw.