Additional evidence of acute anti-inflammatory effects of cyclosporin A in a murine model of pleurisy

Abstract

Introduction: It is well known that cyclosporin A (CsA) exhibits important anti-inflammatory effects, besides its immunosuppressive activity. However, the mechanisms by which CsA exerts these effects remain unclear. Objective: This study evaluated whether the acute administration of CsA significantly interfered in leukocyte migration, exudation, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine-deaminase activities and nitrate/nitrite levels, in a mouse model of pleurisy. Materials and Methods: Pleurisy was induced by carrageenan (1%) treatment and the parameters were analyzed 4 and 48 h after. Groups of animals were previously treated with different doses of CsA and compared with non-treated groups. Results: CsA (0.1–5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, 1 h before pleurisy induction) inhibited neutrophil migration ( P<0.05), but not the exudation that occurred 4 h after pleurisy induction. At this time, CsA (1 mg/kg, 1 h before) also decreased nitrate/nitrite levels and MPO activity ( P<0.01). CsA (2 mg/kg, 0.5 h before) was also effective in decreasing mononuclear influx, exudation and nitrate/nitrite levels 48 h after onset of inflammation. Conclusions: These results indicate that the acute administration of CsA is able to reduce the two leukocyte populations that occur both at 4 and 48 h after pleurisy induction, late exudation (48 h), MPO activity (4 h) and nitrate/nitrite levels (4 and 48 h). Taken together, these findings indicate that CsA has acute anti-inflammatory effects in immunocompetent animals.