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Mode of action of an anti-inflammatory fraction from normal human plasma

Nature volume 254, pages 444–446 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

A FRACTION isolated from normal human plasma1, contains a substance of low molecular weight (< 500) which shows anti-inflammatory activity in a number of animal models, including paw oedema tests in the mouse and rat1,2, adjuvant arthritis in the rat3 and Arthus reactions in the rat and rabbit4. Its activity in the carrageenin-induced paw oedema test in the rat does not involve an interference with either the release or action of chemical mediators of inflammation such as histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, kinins or prostaglandins5,6. The fraction is not active in inflammatory reactions in which these mediators play the more prominent role, for example, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and the extravasation of plasma protein elicited by intradermal challenge with the mediators4, but shows marked and reproducible anti-inflammatory activity in situations in which the emigration of circulating leukocytes is a major factor, for example, Arthus reactions and the accumulation of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells into pleural and other inflammatory exudates7. The plasma fraction causes a reduction of up to 90% in the migration of leukocytes into the exudates found in porous inert sponges implanted subdermally in the rat7.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, King's College Hospital Medical School, Denmark Hill, London, SE8 5RX, UK

    J. R. WALKER, M. J. H. SMITH, A. W. FORD-HUTCHINSON & F. J. BILLIMORIA

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  1. J. R. WALKER
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  2. M. J. H. SMITH
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  3. A. W. FORD-HUTCHINSON
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  4. F. J. BILLIMORIA
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WALKER, J., SMITH, M., FORD-HUTCHINSON, A. et al. Mode of action of an anti-inflammatory fraction from normal human plasma. Nature 254, 444–446 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/254444a0

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