Some effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on leucocyte migration.

The anti-inflammatory properties of 7 non-steroidal drugs have been examined in two animal models and one in vitro system. The models used were (1) carrageenin-induced paw oedema in rats previously depleted of polymorphonuclear cells, (2) carrageenin-induced rat pleurisy and (3) migration of rat peritoneal leucocytes from glass capillary tubes in vitro. All of the drugs suppressed oedema formation in rats depleted of polymorphonuclear cells. None affected the migration of polymorphonuclear cells into the inflamed pleural cavity. Four drugs suppressed the migration of mononuclear cells in the latter model. Of these, only phenylbutazone and indomethacin suppressed the random migration of leucocytes in vitro. It was concluded that the suppression of mononuclear cell migration is not a general property of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.