The local anti-inflammatory action of dexamethasone in the rat carrageenin oedema model is reversed by an antiserum to lipocortin 1.

1. A local pre-injection of 1 micrograms dexamethasone sodium phosphate strongly inhibited (> 60% inhibition at 3 h; P < 0.001 at all time points) the development of carrageenin-induced paw oedema in the rat induced by a subplantar injection of 0.1 ml, 2% carrageenin. 2. Coinjection of a polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against human 1-188 recombinant lipocortin 1, which also recognised the rat protein, reversed the inhibitory action of dexamethasone (P < 0.05 at 4 h and 5 h). At the highest volume used (40 microliters) control antisera were without any effect. 3. These data further support the concept that lipocortin 1 is involved in the anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of the glucocorticoids.