Functional characterization of 21 CYP2C19 allelic variants for clopidogrel 2-oxidation.

Genetic variations in cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) contribute to interindividual variability in the metabolism of therapeutic agents such as clopidogrel. Polymorphisms in CYP2C19 are associated with large interindividual variations in the therapeutic efficacy of clopidogrel. This study evaluated the in vitro oxidation of clopidogrel by 21 CYP2C19 variants harboring amino acid substitutions. These CYP2C19 variants were heterologously expressed in COS-7 cells, and the kinetic parameters of clopidogrel 2-oxidation were estimated. Among the 21 CYP2C19 variants, 12 (that is, CYP2C19.5A, CYP2C19.5B, CYP2C19.6, CYP2C19.8, CYP2C19.9, CYP2C19.10, CYP2C19.14, CYP2C19.16, CYP2C19.19, CYP2C19.22, CYP2C19.24 and CYP2C19.25) showed no or markedly low activity compared with the wild-type protein CYP2C19.1B. This comprehensive in vitro assessment provided insights into the specific metabolic activities of CYP2C19 proteins encoded by variant alleles, and this may to be valuable when interpreting the results of in vivo studies.

Functional characterization of 32 CYP2C9 allelic variants.

Genetic variations in cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) contribute to interindividual variability in the metabolism of clinically used drugs such as warfarin and tolbutamide. We functionally characterized 32 types of allelic variant CYP2C9 proteins. Recombinant CYP2C9 proteins generated using a heterologous expression system are useful for comparing functional changes in CYP2C9 variant proteins expressed from low-frequency alleles. Wild-type CYP2C9 and its 31 variants were found to be transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, and the enzymatic activity of the CYP2C9 variants was characterized using S-warfarin as a representative substrate. Among the 32 types of CYP2C9 allelic variants tested, CYP2C9.18, CYP2C9.21, CYP2C9.24, CYP2C9.26, CYP2C9.33 and CYP2C9.35 exhibited no enzyme activity, and 12 types showed significantly decreased enzyme activity. In vitro analysis of CYP2C9 variant proteins should be useful for predicting CYP2C9 phenotypes and for application to personalized drug therapy.

The antagonism of histamine H1 and H4 receptors ameliorates chronic allergic dermatitis via anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects in NC/Nga mice.

BACKGROUND: Although histamine H1 receptor (H1R) antagonists are commonly used to treat atopic dermatitis, the treatment is not always effective. The histamine H4 receptor (H4R) was recently described as important to the pruritus in dermatitis. Here, we investigated whether the combination of a H1R antagonist plus a H4R antagonist attenuates chronic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. METHODS: Chronic dermatitis was developed by repeated challenges with picryl chloride on the dorsal back and ear lobes. The therapeutic effects of the H1R antagonist olopatadine and H4R antagonist JNJ7777120 on scratching and the severity of dermatitis were evaluated. In addition, the mechanisms responsible for the anti-allergic effects of H1R and/or H4R antagonism were examined using bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) and keratinocytes. RESULTS: JNJ7777120 attenuated scratching behavior after a single administration and improved dermatitis, as assessed with clinical scores, pathology, and cytokine levels in skin lesions when administered repeatedly. These effects were augmented by combined treatment with olopatadine, having a similar therapeutic efficacy to prednisolone. JNJ7777120 inhibited dose-dependently the production of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17 and macrophage-derived chemokine/CCL22 from antigen-stimulated BMMC. In addition, olopatadine reversed the histamine-induced reduction of semaphorin 3A mRNA in keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with H1R and H4R antagonists may have a significant therapeutic effect on chronic dermatitis through the synergistic inhibition of pruritus and skin inflammation.

Involvement of a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway in antigen-induced IL-4 production in mast cells.

We studied the involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) in the antigen-induced IL-4 production in a rat mast cell line, RBL-2H3. The stimulation of IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells by the antigen resulted in increased IL-4 mRNA levels followed by increased IL-4 production. Wortmannin and LY294002, PI3-kinase inhibitors, partially reduced both the antigen-induced increases in the IL-4 mRNA levels and IL-4 production in a concentration-dependent manner. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which belong to the MAPK family, were activated by the antigen stimulation, and the activation of p38 MAPK in addition to JNK was suppressed markedly by wortmannin. The phosphorylation of endogenous activating transcription factor-2, a substrate of p38 MAPK, was also inhibited by wortmannin. The specific p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 partially inhibited the antigen-induced IL-4 production at mRNA levels, but the MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059 enhanced it. These findings suggest that the activation of PI3-kinase and p38 MAPK is partially responsible for the antigen-induced IL-4 production in RBL-2H3 cells.

Identification of histamine-production-increasing factor produced by stimulated RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

When RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells were stimulated by antigen or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, the activity to increase histamine production by rat bone marrow cells in the conditioned medium increased time-dependently. To characterize the histamine-production-increasing factor (HPIF) produced by RBL-2H3 cells, the conditioned medium was collected 8 h after stimulation by A23187, and the factor was purified by three-step chromatography, the specific activity being increased by 9000-fold. The partial amino acid sequence of the peptide obtained by S. aureus V8 protease digestion was identical to the internal amino acid sequence of rat granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In addition, GM-CSF mRNA levels in RBL-2H3 cells were increased by A23187 with a peak at 4 h. Furthermore, recombinant rat GM-CSF increased histamine production by rat bone marrow cells. These findings suggested that HPIF produced by the stimulated RBL-2H3 cells is GM-CSF. Possible significant roles of HPIF at the late phase of allergic inflammation are discussed.

Stimulation of histamine release and arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal mast cells by thapsigargin, a non-TPA-type tumor promoter.

Thapsigargin, a non-TPA-type tumor promoter, releases histamine and stimulates arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal mast cells. In order to clarify the relationship between the histamine-releasing activity and the arachidonic acid metabolism-stimulating activity of thapsigargin in mast cells, the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin and ibuprofen, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, AA861, and dual inhibitors for cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and BW755C, on histamine release and arachidonic acid metabolism were examined. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the peritoneal mast cells preferentially produce prostaglandin D2 by thapsigargin treatment. These inhibitors suppressed thapsigargin-induced prostaglandin D2 production in a dose-dependent manner, but failed to inhibit histamine release, suggesting that the mechanisms for stimulation of histamine release by thapsigargin is not dependent on increased arachidonic acid metabolism. Time-course experiments of histamine release and the release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled mast cells also provide evidence for a difference in mechanism.

Inhibition by gossypol of tumor promoter-induced arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal macrophages.

Rat peritoneal macrophages were prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid. The release of radioactivity into the medium was increased by treatment with TPA-type tumor promoters, such as TPA, teleocidin and aplysiatoxin, and the non-TPA-type tumor promoter, thapsigargin. Gossypol, at concentrations of 3 and 10 microM, inhibited the release of radioactivity stimulated by both types of tumor promoter, although the mechanism of stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism is different in the two types of tumor promoter. Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production by these tumor promoters was also inhibited by treatment with gossypol. Calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated release of radioactivity and prostaglandin E2 production were also inhibited by gossypol treatment. The mechanism of inhibition by gossypol of prostaglandin E2 production is discussed.

Stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism by a streptococcal preparation (OK-432) in rat peritoneal macrophages.

A streptococcal preparation OK-432 is reported to be an immunopotentiator and a potent antitumor agent. In order to elucidate the mechanism of biologic action, effects of OK-432 on arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal macrophages were investigated. Prostaglandin E2 production and release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled macrophages were found to be stimulated by OK-432 in a concentration-dependent manner (5 to 80 micrograms/ml). Heat-treatment of OK-432 further stimulated its effects. These stimulative effects on arachidonic acid metabolism by OK-432 were not observed in MDCK cells that have no phagocytotic activity. Furthermore, cytochalasin B treatment completely suppressed the stimulative effects induced by OK-432 in macrophages. These results strongly indicate that the stimulative effects by OK-432 on arachidonic acid metabolism are dependent on phagocytosis of OK-432 particles. Significance of stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages by OK-432 for its biological effects is discussed.

Dual effects of staurosporine on arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal macrophages.

Staurosporine is a microbial anti-fungal alkaloid having a most potent inhibitory activity on protein kinase C and is recently found as a non-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (non-TPA)-type tumor promoter of mouse skin, although tumor promotion induced by a TPA-type tumor promoter teleocidin is suppressed by staurosporine. When rat peritoneal macrophages were incubated in the medium containing various concentrations of staurosporine, prostaglandin E2 production and release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled macrophages were stimulated at concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/ml. But higher concentrations of staurosporine such as 100 and 1000 ng/ml showed no stimulative effect on prostaglandin E2 production although cytoplasmic free calcium levels were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Staurosporine-induced stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production was inhibited by treatment with cycloheximide, suggesting that a certain protein synthesis is prerequisite for the stimulation of arahcidonic acid metabolism. At higher concentrations (100 and 1000 ng/ml), staurosporine inhibited TPA-type tumor promoter (TPA, teleocidin and aplysiatoxin)-induced stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism probably due to the inhibition of protein kinases. Tumor promotion activity and anti-tumor promotion activity of staurosporine might be explained by the fact that the lower concentrations of staurosporine stimulate arachidonic acid metabolism and the higher concentrations of staurosporine inhibit the tumor promoter-induced arachidonic acid metabolism, respectively.

Possible participation of macrophage inflammatory protein 2 in neutrophil infiltration in allergic inflammation in rats.

Recombinant rat macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) was prepared from E. coli transfected with a glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-MIP-2 fusion protein expression vector. A polyclonal antibody to rat MIP-2 was then obtained from rabbits by immunization with recombinant rat MIP-2. Using the polyclonal antibody which selectively suppressed neutrophil chemotactic activity of MIP-2, the role of MIP-2 in neutrophil infiltration in allergic inflammation in rats was studied. In an air pouch-type allergic inflammation model in rats, neutrophil infiltration into the pouch fluid increased with time after antigen challenge. Neutrophil chemotactic activity in the pouch fluid collected 8 h after antigen challenge was diminished by anti-MIP-2 antibody. In addition, when leukocytes that had infiltrated into the pouch fluid collected 4 h after antigen challenge were incubated, neutrophil chemotactic activity in the conditioned medium increased time-dependently, and the activity was neutralized by anti-MIP-2 antibody. Furthermore, when anti-MIP-2 antibody was injected into the pouch 6 h after antigen challenge, neutrophil infiltration into the pouch fluid during the next 2 h was suppressed. These findings indicate that MIP-2 plays an important role in neutrophil infiltration in rat allergic inflammation.

Okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-1, non-TPA-type tumor promoters, stimulate prostaglandin E2 production in rat peritoneal macrophages.

Okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-1 isolated from a black sponge, Halichondria okadai are non-12-O-tetrade-canoylphorbol 13-acetate (non-TPA)-type tumor promoters of mouse skin. Okadaic acid at concentrations of 10-100 ng/ml stimulated prostaglandin E2 production in rat peritoneal macrophages. Dinophysistoxin-1 (35-methylokadaic acid) stimulated prostaglandin E2 production as strong as okadaic acid, but okadaic acid tetramethyl ether, an inactive compound as a tumor promoter, did not. Okadaic acid at 10 ng/ml (12.4 nM) stimulated prostaglandin E2 production as strongly as TPA at 10 ng/ml (16.2 nM) 20 h after incubation. Unlike TPA-type tumor promoters, okadaic acid required a lag phase before stimulation. The duration of this lag phase was dependent on the concentration of okadaic acid. Indomethacin inhibited okadaic acid-induced preostaglandin E2 production in a dose-dependent manner, and its inhibition was more strongly observed in okadaic acid-induced prostaglandin E2 production. Cycloheximide inhibited okadaic acid-induced release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled macrophages and prostaglandin E2 production dose dependently, suggesting that protein synthesis is a prerequisite for the stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. These results support our idea that tumor promoters, at very low concentrations, are able to stimulate arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal macrophages.

Analysis of tumor-promoter-induced inflammation in rats: participation of histamine and prostaglandin E2.

Inflammatory reactions induced by TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate)-type tumor promoters, including TPA, teleocidin and aplysiatoxin, and chemical mediators responsible for such inflammatory reactions were analyzed. The tumor promoter dissolved in a 0.8% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution was injected into a subcutaneous air pouch preformed on the dorsum of rats. Within 30 min after the injection, vascular permeability as measured by the leakage of labeled albumin into the pouch fluid was increased, with a concomitant increase in histamine level. This increase in vascular permeability was inhibited by a histamine antagonist, pyrilamine, and a serotonin antagonist, methysergide. Vascular permeability at 4 h was not inhibited by pyrilamine or methysergide but was inhibited by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, with a parallel decrease in the prostaglandin E2 level in the pouch fluid. These results suggest that the TPA-type tumor promoters induce inflammation by the mechanism of mast cell degranulation within a short period, this being followed by the stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. The mechanism of the in vivo effect of the TPA-type tumor promoters is discussed and compared with in vitro effects that we have previously reported.

Synergistic stimulation of histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-type and non-TPA-type tumor promoters.

Thapsigargin, a non-TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate)-type tumor promoter, provoked histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells at concentrations above 30 ng/ml, but not at 10 ng/ml. TPA-type tumor promoters such as TPA, teleocidin and aplysiatoxin released very little, if any, histamine even at 100 ng/ml. When mast cells were incubated in medium containing thapsigargin at 10 ng/ml and varying concentrations of TPA-type tumor promoters, histamine release was increased synergistically. Maximum synergistic effects were observed at 10 ng/ml of each TPA-type tumor promoter. Palytoxin, another non-TPA-type tumor promoter, having no effect on histamine release at up to 10 pg/ml, also induced histamine release in the presence of 10 ng/ml of each TPA-type tumor promoter. However, no synergistic effect on histamine release was observed when mast cells were incubated in medium containing two different non-TPA-type tumor promoters, e.g., 10 ng/ml thapsigargin and 10 pg/ml palytoxin, or in medium containing two different TPA-type tumor promoters, e.g., TPA and teleocidin, TPA and aplysiatoxin, or teleocidin and aplysiatoxin (all at 10 ng/ml). These results suggest that the release of histamine from mast cells is stimulated synergistically under the mutual influence of TPA-type tumor promoters and non-TPA-type tumor promoters.

Negative regulation of MAP kinase by diacylglycerol-dependent mechanisms via G protein-coupled receptors in rat basophilic RBL-2H3 (ml) cells.

Carbachol and 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA), stimulants of G protein-coupled receptors, induce MAP kinase activation in the muscarinic ml receptor-transfected mast cell line, RBL-2H3 (ml) cells. The phospholipase C inhibitor neomycin and the phosphatidate phosphohydrolase inhibitor propranolol augmented MAP kinase activation induced by carbachol and NECA without affecting the antigen-induced MAP kinase activation. Furthermore, the duration of MAP kinase activation induced by carbachol or NECA was also prolonged by neomycin and propranolol. The specific protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8425 enhanced the carbachol- or NECA-induced MAP kinase activation. These findings suggest that the MAP kinase activation mediated by the G protein-coupled receptors is negatively regulated by diacylglycerol and activated protein kinase C(s).

Role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in degranulation induced by IgE-dependent and -independent mechanisms in rat basophilic RBL-2H3 (ml) cells.

We have examined the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13-kinase) in the degranulation induced by the antigen, an IgE-dependent stimulant, and by carbachol and thapsigargin, IgE-independent stimulants, in the muscarine ml receptor-transfected mast cell line RBL-2h3 (ml) cells. These stimulants commonly increased P13-kinase activity in the anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitate. The P13-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 inhibited induced by these stimulants. The membrane ruffling induced by the antigen or carbachol was also inhibited by wortmannin. In contrast, thapsigargin induced by membrane ruffling but induced microspikes, which was not affected by wortmannin. In the permeabilized RBL-2H3 (ml) cells, wortmannin the GTP gamma S-induced membrane ruffling without inhibiting the GTP gamma S-induced degranulation. These findings suggest that P13-kinase is involved not only in IgE-dependent degranulation but also in IgE-independent degranulation, and that the GTP gamma S-sensitive protein at the downstream of P13-kinase is responsible for the degranulation but not for the membrane ruffling.

Production and pharmacologic modulation of the granulocyte-associated allergic responses to ovalbumin in murine skin models induced by injecting ovalbumin-specific Th1 or Th2 cells.

Because interferon-gamma, interleukin-4, and interleukin-5 have been identified at the mRNA and protein levels in the lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, we investigated the roles played by granulocytes as effector cells in allergic inflammation by using two unique murine skin models. In vitro generated Th1 and Th2 cells from naïve splenocytes of antiovalbumin T cell receptor transgenic BALB/C mice were adoptively transferred with ovalbumin into the ear pinnae or air-pouches produced in the back skin of naïve, nontransgenic BALB/C mice. The injection of Th1 cells with ovalbumin induced delayed type ear swelling that peaked at 48 h, whereas that of Th2 resulted in ear swelling that peaked at a much earlier time, 24 h. Histologic study of the swollen ear skin and granulocytes recruited into the air-pouch demonstrated that, although the Th1-induced inflammation caused a neutrophil-predominant infiltrate with few eosinophils, larger numbers of eosinophils accumulated in the Th2-induced inflammation. Using these murine models, we further evaluated the effects of drugs used for the treatment of atopic diseases. The results showed that FK506 administration could effectively reduce skin inflammation induced by either Th cells. Interestingly, the neutrophil elastase inhibitor ONO-6818 efficiently inhibited Th1-induced inflammation. In contrast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, ONO-1078, specifically suppressed Th2-induced inflammation. We also found that each ONO drug exerted direct influence on specified granulocytes, as neither affected in vitro production of relevant Th cytokines. Thus, we succeeded in developing animal skin inflammation models in which we can evaluate the contribution of protein antigen-specific Th1 or Th2 cells through the action of granulocytic effector cells.

Mice lacking histidine decarboxylase exhibit abnormal mast cells.

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) synthesizes histamine from histidine in mammals. To evaluate the role of histamine, we generated HDC-deficient mice using a gene targeting method. The mice showed a histamine deficiency and lacked histamine-synthesizing activity from histidine. These HDC-deficient mice are viable and fertile but exhibit a decrease in the numbers of mast cells while the remaining mast cells show an altered morphology and reduced granular content. The amounts of mast cell granular proteases were tremendously reduced. The HDC-deficient mice provide a unique and promising model for studying the role of histamine in a broad range of normal and disease processes.

Enhancement by histamine of vascular endothelial growth factor production in granulation tissue via H(2) receptors.

1. Roles of histamine in the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the carrageenin-induced granulation tissue in rats were analysed in vitro and in vivo. 2. Incubation of the minced granulation tissue in the presence of histamine (1 and 10 microM) increased the content of VEGF protein in the conditioned medium in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The levels of VEGF mRNA in the minced granulation tissue were also increased by histamine in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. The increase in the content of VEGF protein in the conditioned medium by histamine (10 microM) was suppressed by the H(2) receptor antagonist cimetidine (IC(50) 0.37 microM), but not by the H(1) receptor antagonist pyrilamine maleate, the H(3) receptor antagonist thioperamide or the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. 4. The histamine-induced increase in the content of VEGF protein in the conditioned medium was inhibited by the cyclic AMP antagonist Rp-cAMP (IC(50) 6.8 microM), and the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 (IC(50) 12.5 microM), but not by the protein kinase C inhibitors Ro 31-8425 and calphostin C or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. 5. Simultaneous injection of cimetidine (400 microg) and indomethacin (100 microg) into the air pouch of rats additively reduced the carrageenin-induced increase in VEGF protein levels and angiogenesis in the granulation tissue as assessed by using carmine dye. 6. These findings indicate that histamine has an activity to induce VEGF production in the granulation tissue via the H(2) receptor-cyclic AMP-protein kinase A pathway and augments angiogenesis in the granulation tissue.

Inhibition by troglitazone of the antigen-induced production of leukotrienes in immunoglobulin E-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells.

1. The effect of troglitazone, an anti-diabetic drug with insulin-sensitizing action, on antigen-induced production of leukotriene (LT) B(4), C(4) and E(4) and prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) was examined in dinitrophenol (DNP)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized RBL-2H3 mast cells following stimulation by the antigen, DNP-conjugated human serum albumin. Levels of LTB(4), C(4) and E(4) and PGD(2) in the conditioned medium were enzyme-immunoassayed. 2. Troglitazone inhibited the antigen-induced production of LTB(4), C(4) and E(4) and the potency of the inhibition was comparable to that of zileuton, a specific inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and a clinically used anti-asthmatic drug. Neither troglitazone nor zileuton affected antigen-induced production of PGD(2), arachidonic acid release from membrane phospholipids and degranulation. 3. Troglitazone inhibited LTB(4) production by the supernatant fraction of RBL-2H3 cell lysate with similar potency to zileuton, suggesting that troglitazone inhibits LT production by direct inhibition of 5-LOX activity. 4. Furthermore, it was shown that troglitazone as well as zileuton inhibited LTB(4) production in A23187-stimulated rat peritoneal neutrophils. 5. These findings suggest that troglitazone inhibits antigen-induced LT production in the IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells and A23187-stimulated rat peritoneal neutrophils by direct inhibition of 5-LOX activity.

Vascular permeability responses and the role of prostaglandin E2 in an experimental allergic inflammation of air pouch type in rats.

Rats were sensitized with azobenzene arsonate-conjugated acetyl bovine serum albumin. An allergic inflammation was induced in the preformed air pouch in the dorsum of the sensitized rats by injecting the antigen dissolved in a 2% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution into the air pouch. Time course changes of vascular permeability, accumulated pouch fluid volume and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in the pouch fluid were compared in sensitized and non-sensitized rats to characterize the allergic inflammatory reaction. Effects of three cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin, diclofenac sodium and tiaprofenic acid) on vascular permeability and accumulated pouch fluid volume 4 and 24 h after the immunological challenge injection were examined to elucidate a possible role of PGE2 in the inflammatory response. Four h after initiating the allergic reaction, although the level of PGE2 in the pouch fluid reached a high level, the vascular permeability response, measured over the period 3.5-4 h, was not suppressed by treatment with the three cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors and neither was the pouch fluid volume measured over the period 0-4 h. However, vascular permeability and accumulated pouch fluid volume at 24 h were suppressed by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors in a dose-dependent manner. These observations suggest that in this model, endogenous PGE2 does not affect oedema formation measured at 4 h. However, oedema formation measured at 24 h may be dependent on PGE2 generation.