STUDIES OF TONSILLITIS FROM THE ASPECT OF PROTEASE-ANTIPROTEASE

Abstract

In order to clarify the relationship between inflammatory process and fibrinolytic system, Arthus-type hypersensitivity was experimentally designed in rabbit tonsil. At the beginning of this study, we discussed if Arthus tonsillitis of rabbit was useful or not as the model of human acute tonsillitis. Furthermore, macroscopic, histopathological findings were obtained and fibrinolytic activity of blood was estimated in parallel with the process of the Arthus tonsillitis.These results obtained from this experiment were as follows:1) In the first day after Arthus phenomenon was provoked at the tonsil of rabbit, the swelling and bleeding were macroscopically observed. In the 7th day, however, these findings subsided.2) The tonsil was divided into six portions, which were lacunal epithelium, interstitial portion of parenchyma, follicle, blood vessels, capsule and connective tissue surrounding the tonsil, and they were histopathologically observed. In the first day, the remarkable cell infiltrations and bleeding were observed at interstitial portion of parenchyma and connective tissue surrounding the tonsil.3) As the parameters of fibrinolytic system in blood, the content of fibrinogen, content of plasminogen, inhibitor activity and whole plasmin (euglobulin+streptokinase) were estimated. In comparison with the control group, the increase of fibrinogen content, slight decrease of plasminogen content and remarkable decrease of whole plasmin were observed from first to third day.4) To summarize these findings, in the first day after Arthus tonsillitis, strong inflammatory reactions were observed at the local site. In accordance with these local inflammatory reactions, fibrinolytic activity of blood increased. From these results, fibrinolytic activity of blood was correlated to the inflammatory process of Arthus tonsillitis, furthermore it may modify the clinical process of the tonsillitis.